January 19, 1948 to July 16th, 2024
Ronald (Ron) Eric Johnston passed away on July 16th, 2024 in Dant, OR. While his family wishes that they were there with him, Ron was as stubborn as they come so it is only fitting that he signed off on life on his terms, and at the place he loved most along the Deschutes River. He loved his wife, children, and grandchildren more than anything on this earth, and they were in his final thoughts.
Ron was born to the late Fred L. and Rita E. Johnston on January 19, 1948 in Portland, OR. He was a lifelong Oregonian and grew up in Aloha and then Garden Home, where he loved playing baseball. Always a hard worker, he started work at age fifteen at Alpenrose Dairy.
He graduated from Beaverton High School in 1966 and served honorably with the 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam Nam. He was proud to be a marine and enlisted in 1968. He later joined the North Pacific Lumber Company as a lumber trader and thrived in his career. So much so that Ron started his own company, American Pacific Wood Products, where he worked until he retired. He had a knack for sales and could strike up a conversation with anyone. And boy did he know how to make you laugh.
Ron was married to Patsy Johnston for forty-one years. They spent his retirement years traveling, golfing, spending time with grandkids, visiting friends, and were active in their church. Ron was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fly fishing, rafting, and boating. He shared his love of the outdoors with his children and grandchildren. Ron loved his family with his whole heart. He was the biggest kid of all and adored by his nine grandchildren. Ron came to love God in his later years and was an integral member of his church.
Ron is survived by his loving wife, Patsy; his children, Eric (Kari), Brian, Jeff (Andrea), and Lindsay Conti (Dan); his nine grandchildren, Jack, Maia, Mackenna, Tucker, Willow, Finley, Lincoln, Annelise, and Fiona. He is also survived by his brother, John (Sally) and other family members and friends who will miss him dearly. Ron was preceded in death by his brother David.
A memorial service to celebrate Ron’s life will be held at Twin Rivers Community Church on August 3, 2024 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to Twin Rivers Community Church, 6094 SW Tarpon Rd, Terrebonne, OR.
His family extends their deepest gratitude to the good Samaritans and friends that provided comfort in those final moments.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Louise Cook Jones shared some additional information about Ron:
Ron was the son of Fred and Rita Johnston. He had two brothers, John and David. The family lived on SW 82nd in Garden Home. The boys attended Garden Home Grade School and Beaverton High School.
Ron played baseball at the Alpenrose Dairy ball field and later, at age 15, worked for Alpenrose. He also played baseball on the Beaverton High team. He was a Marine and served in Vietnam.
Susan Williams Mihelich, who lived two houses from the Johnstons, remembers her neighbors: Rita was an artist. She had a kiln in their home to support her ceramic work. The adult neighbors, including the Johnstons, the Williams, the Honeys, and the Coveys, were part of a bowling group, a square dancing club, and they traveled together.
Ron was a classmate of Susan, class of 1962 at Garden Home Grade School and class of 1966 at Beaverton High School. He and his wife Patsy attended the Garden Home History Project reunion at the grade school. His picture is included in class photos displayed by the History Project.
GardenHomeHistory.com 