Donald W. Johnston, 91, died on Dec. 23, 2017. He was born Aug. 28, 1926, in St. Francis, Kansas to George R. and Lydia (Armknecht) Johnston. Don was part of a big family that included 6 boys and 3 girls. The family lived during the Great Depression and was very poor. However, almost everyone else was in the same position so the children didn’t realize that they lacked much. In the mid-30s, the dust storms came and finally in 1939, the family moved to Prineville, Ore. where Don graduated from Crook County High School. In high school, Don’s attendance was perfect, having never missed a day of school. In grade school, he missed 5 ½ days.
He volunteered at the age of 17 and served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II. He was discharged in 1946 and returned to civilian life.
Mr. Johnston worked in lumber mills to put himself through college. Following college, he joined the U.S. State Department. After several months of training in Washington, D.C., he was assigned to the embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina where, among other duties, he was acquainted with Juan, the President of Argentina, and his wife, Evita Peron.
Mr. Johnston married Jacqueline Cheshire June 26, 1953, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where both were employed at the American Embassy. Since they believed that their future family should be raised in the U.S., they resigned from the State Department and returned to the U.S.
In 1955, he entered the automobile business, becoming an automobile dealer in 1964 in Redmond, Ore., then Aberdeen, Wash., Phoenix, Ariz. and Seattle, Wash. He retired in 1992. After his first wife’s death in 1995, he moved to Tumwater, Wash. to be closer to his family. He moved to Boise, Idaho after he remarried.
Don lived a full life. He was known for his deep love for his family and country. His business always received his full and undivided attention. He felt his greatest accomplishment was his four children.
Mr. Johnston enjoyed travel (having visited 92 countries), and he went on more than 40 cruises. He enjoyed the adventure of seeing what might be different in foreign countries. Don traveled to China and Russia before those countries became tourist attractions. He also liked visiting antique stores, pitching horseshoes, genealogy, gardening and time with his family and friends. He was especially fond of family gatherings with his children and grandchildren.
His wife, Jacque, preceded him in death Oct. 2, 1995. He remarried Sept. 14, 2002, to Mary Ann Andrews, a friend of the family for many years. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, daughters, Kathleen Keilman of Puyallup and Margaret Johnston of Santa Rosa, Calif., and his sons, George of Olympia and Donald of Kent. In addition, he had a daughter-in-law, Tonni, son-in-law Paul, son-in-law Bill, 2 granddaughters, Karissa and Erin, 3 grandsons, Bryan, Brett and Geoff, and Geoff’s wife Niki. Also, one brother. 4 brothers and 3 sisters preceded him in death.
Mr. Johnston’s wish was that there be no memorial service and the family has honored this simple and dignified request. In lieu of flowers, etc. it is his wish that you take a long walk with a loved one and remember him.
Rest in peace.
