Paul Arthur Johnston

Birth date: Aug 25, 1950 Death date: Feb 24, 2019

Paul Arthur Johnston, 68, died peacefully at home on Sunday February 24, after a challenging battle with congestive heart failure. Paul was born in Superior, Wisconsin on August 25, 1950 to Lawrence William Johnston and Helen Sche Read Obituary

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John

370w ago

Uncle Paul and Aunt Susan have always been a very big part of my life. I used to go over to the houses they were building in Wisconsin and just loved being around them. I enjoyed sitting between them in the truck and listening to all there stories. One day Uncle Paul sold one of his trucks and the buyer paid him with cash. Uncle Paul let me hold all that money and it was awesome. one evening I was invited to eat at Paul and Susan’s house and Aunt Susan made tacos and she let me eat as many as I could. Uncle Paul was impressed by how many I ate. That was a fun time for me. I look up to my Uncle Paul in every way. He is very much like my dad, who I adore. I was a swimmer because he was, I teach school because he was a teacher, I build houses because he and my dad built houses. Reta and I even named our first son after Uncle Paul. I learned so much and gained so much because of Uncle Paul. I have missed being around him for some time now and will continue to miss him but, just like those who have gone before him, I feel their presence still and still enjoy their influence. I know I will see them all again and it will be wonderful.
Love John

Vickie Johnston

371w ago

Julie, Jessica,Rachel, and your families are very blessed to have the father and mother and grandparents you were given. I am grateful you are all a part of my life, and particularly grateful that Paul advised Larry to choose me to pursue instead of the other girl Larry was dating back in their BYU days. I can’t think of any brothers who are as close as Paul and Larry. They had most of the same interests and philosophies, especially where finances were concerned, and that has benefited all of us. Susan has been a wife who has always been totally devoted to her husband and girls. What a fantastic caregiver she’s been to Paul! Paul has been an awesome uncle to our children, and they will always cherish their interactions with him. They’re all concerned, knowing their Dad has lost his best friend, and they worry that he’ll be so lonely without His sidekick to comparison shop for cars and motorcycles. Even people at Home Depot have asked Larry where his walking partner has been. We know you will miss him even more. However, it’s certain Paul is in a better situation than what has kept him home bound for so long. We’ll all look forward to being together again, and for some of us, that won’t be many years away. Paul has made a difference for good in all of our lives. The greatest tribute we can give him is to follow his lead and counsel. As Larry has always said, “Paul is usually right on in his thinking and gives great advice.” I love you and extend my heartfelt sympathy at this time.

Duane Thurber

371w ago

Oh, how I enjoyed it when Paul lead the discussion in priesthood meetings on Sunday. His commitment to, and testimony of the gospel was always apparent in the enthusiasm which it seemed he could hardly contain. He made those days interesting, thought provoking and spiritually enlightening. He has been a light in my life. May we all take comfort in the promises of that gospel of which Paul so often taught.

Amy Johnston Burge

371w ago

My Uncle Paul was a historian; I could listen to his stories all day (I remember he could pull off a perfect Russian accent!). He would have been such a fun history teacher!

Uncle Paul was an athlete, and strong. He was a force to be reckoned with in the annual Johnston/Fredrick ball games, and he could swim lap after lap after lap. One of my favorite memories with Uncle Paul is when he let me come with Julie to one of his practices when he coached Brighton’s girls’ basketball team. He let me run the drills and play with his girls, and after, he bragged on me in front of his team and then later my dad. A self-esteem building moment for sure!

It was so fun to visit Uncle Paul and his family whether they were in Wyoming and we were playing on the giant haystack behind their house or going to the Ft. Bridger Mountain Man Rendezvous, or in Albion where we’d walk down to the river behind their house or up to the school fields above their house to play ball, or in South Jordan where we would gather for extended family home evening. It was in those family home evenings where I heard my Uncle Paul testify of the truthfulness of the Gospel with that same unwavering commitment and passion that his mom, my grandma had (I hear it in my dad and my Aunt Barbara too.).

I don’t know if this is how it works, but if anyone has any pull up in Heaven, it’s surely Grandma Johnston. I pictured her watching over her baby boy, not wanting him to suffer anymore, asking for him to be sent home, and then, peacefully, he went.

My Uncle Paul is still a historian, and an athlete, and a man with a powerful testimony and everything else he was on this earth; he just isn’t here. He is sorely missed. I am praying every day for my Aunt Susan, Julie, Jessica, Rachel, and their families to feel peace and comfort in each other knowing that they, we, will all be reunited someday. Families are forever!

Mike Johnston

371w ago

And I love you Jessica too. (Sorry about that)

Mike Johnston

371w ago

Uncle Paul you will be missed until we meet again. You taught me service by always helping with my moves. You taught me love by how close you are to your family and my Dad. You taught me passion when we played Basketball (Johnston vs. Fredrick:) You taught me it is was okay to have a motorcycle. And you taught me how to be clean and organized. You always took great care of your family and belongings. I am very grateful that you were part of my life. Love you Susan, Julie, Rachel and family.

Rachel Olsen

371w ago

Added a new photo to the Memories Album album.

Marc & Marcia Daybell

371w ago

So very sorry to learn of Paul’s passing. He was a great man and a great friend, who will be sorely missed. Love and condolences to Susan and Paul’s amazing family.

Krista Johnson

371w ago

Paul was a great uncle and a wonderful brother to my dad. I remember him taking all the kids on motorcycle rides in Wyoming, playing basketball in the Johnston VS Fredrick games, and him and my dad wrestling each other in the creek. He always took great care of his trucks and he knew everything about history. He would get so excited talking about things he was passionate about. My dad loved seeing him often and looking at houses, cars, and eating at Chuck-a-Rama. We will miss Paul greatly but we will be so excited to see him again. We love you Susan, Julie, Jessica, Rachel and families.

Jenni Johnston Mcinnes

371w ago

We will all miss Uncle Paul, especially my dad, his brother Larry. The two of them had a special bond most brothers don't enjoy. I shared this with Aunt Susan but I thought it might be nice to post it here as well. These are just a few of the memories I have of Uncle Paul.

I. I remember living near Uncle Paul and Aunt Susan and baby Julie in Wisconsin. Their house was just behind, to the left, of ours and I remember enjoying visiting them--probably unexpectedly at times as a 4 year old would do. Uncle Paul and Aunt Susan were always so kind and patient.

2. Pickle juice. I remember Uncle Paul drinking the pickle juice from the little baggie holding the pickles Aunt Susan packed for him in his lunch. I thought that was pretty weird—but you know what? I tried it too because I looked up to him and he offered to share.

3. Bear fights. I remember what looked like two bears fighting when my dad and Uncle Paul would wrestle in the dammed-up Millcreek. Best of friends and always a lot of fun at our picnics. I remember soccer games and basketball games, and sledding—so much fun with the Johnston/Fredrick family.

4. Building houses. I remember my dad and Uncle Paul building houses in Wisconsin and Utah. He was always there, supporting my dad and each of us in the latest house being built. My dad felt much comfort having Paul there. He really trusted his opinion. They worked really well together and just enjoyed each other’s company--very loyal and very loving.

5. Family Home Evenings. I remember our extended FHE at the Johnston's and the Fredrick’s homes. I looked forward to those so much; even after I had married and had children of my own. I feel so lucky my Grandma and aunts and uncles, and my parents, devoted a lot of time and energy into keeping our family close and sharing the gospel with us. I was grateful for everyone's examples and love.

It's hard to imagine life without Uncle Paul but luckily I know we will all be together again, one day, with Grandma and Grandpa Johnston too. What a wonderful time we will have!

Much Love,
Jenni Johnston McInnes

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Jenni Johnston Mcinnes

371w ago

It's hard to imagine life without Uncle Paul but luckily I know we will all be together again, one day, with Grandma and Grandpa Johnston too. What a wonderful time we will have!

Much Love,
Jenni Johnston McInnes

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