John Edward Johnston

Was born September 10, 1924, the first of six children, to Billie and Ashley Johnston in Fort Gay, West Virginia. He joined the Navy during WWII and served in the Pacific. He married Doris Smith in 1949 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His career spanned thirty one years in which he served in Lima, Peru, San Diego, Norfolk, Washington D.C., Rome, Italy and three different tours in Albuquerque, in what was affectionately known as the "Rio Grande Fleet." He served as a Yeoman and was in the first group of five Navy Chiefs to be promoted to the newly created rank of Master Chief. He loved reading philosophy and literature almost as much as fishing for rainbow trout. At 49 years, golf didn't use his time well. He joined a Resort Property Sales Team for Angel Fire Resort, a four season "get away" resort just purchased in the Morino Valley in North Eastern New Mexico. After eleven years he entered the general real estate market for another 20 years. In his last years he loved to be surrounded by shinning balloons. He is survived by his younger brother, Kenneth Johnston; a younger sister, Christine Kelly and his daughter, Kaarin Johnston, a professor of theater in Minnesota. He is also survived by Paula Hopkins, his second wife, and real estate team mate. He was an active member of the Fleet Reserve Association, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and an American Patriot. Friends may visit Wednesday, September 17, 2014, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas. A Funeral Service will be Thursday, September 18, 2014, 11:00 a.m. at FRENCH - Lomas. Interment will follow the services in Santa Fe National Cemetery.