LC Johnston

LC Johnston passed away at his home in Wenatchee on Friday, October 6 after a brief illness. He was 87 years old. He was born in Zion Arkansas on January 6, 1936 to Austin and Hallie Johnston, and would maintain a close, personal connection to that area of the country for the rest of his life. He loved to reminisce about those childhood days, especially when he was with his sisters Billie and Norma. Austin and Hallie, like many other families at the time, packed up Billie, LC, and Norma and moved West – landing in Wenatchee, WA in 1943. He graduated from WHS in 1954 and met the love of his life Rilla Lloyd while attending First Assembly of God church in Wenatchee. The two were married on June 29th, 1956. The newlyweds moved to Seattle where LC worked at A&P grocery and Boeing while he attended University of Washington. In 1959 LC and Rilla welcomed their 1st child – Shelly. LC would go on to complete his bachelor’s degree from Central WA Univ in 1964. While working toward his degree, LC would commute to Wenatchee on the weekends so he could work at Peter Rabbit Grocery – early evidence of his tireless work ethic and dedication to his family. Their 2nd child, Dan, was born in 1963. 3 years later, LC and Rilla would celebrate the 4th of July by welcoming their 3rd and final child… Cory. After graduation, LC began his teaching career teaching 5th graders and high schoolers in Peshastin, WA. Then, in 1969, the family packed up and moved to Chicago. The move was so that LC could achieve his Master’s Degree @ Illinois Institute of Technology in 1970. The family then returned to Peshastin/Dryden where LC became the high school counselor, along with teaching both economics and sociology. LC’s love of learning led him to participate in numerous summer programs to advance his education. One such program was at West Point Military Academy, and another in Taiwan. Seeing the world and exploring other cultures had a tremendous impact on him that would last the rest of his life and would fuel some of the stories he loved to tell his grandchildren. In 1973, while still teaching @ PD, the family moved to Wenatchee. That tireless work ethic kicked in again, and LC added Driver’s Education and Junior Class Concessions to his list of responsibilities. Later on, LC transferred from the high school to the grade school where he would go on to teach the 5th grade until retiring in 1992. He took great pride in his work and loved bringing his grandchildren along to help in concessions or even as “special guests” of his classroom. A deep Christian faith and love for his family were unquestionably his top 2 priorities in life. A long-time member of First Assembly of God in Wenatchee, he served on the church board and taught Sunday school. He lived his life in a way that made his priorities obvious – showing kindness, generosity, and loyalty countless times throughout each day. He lived in a way that would have an everlasting impact on those he leaves behind and was able to do so by unashamedly keeping Jesus at the center of all he did. LC took great joy in teaching others and spent MANY hours on the highway between Leavenworth and Wenatchee teaching generation after generation how to drive. Even after retiring, he seemed to have an endless supply of energy that found its way out by taking care of those he loved. He was preceded in death by his parents Austin and Hallie Johnston, his brother James Johnston, and sister Norma Phillips. He is survived by wife Rilla Johnston, sister Billie Messer of Tumwater WA, daughter Shelly (Steve) Farmer, son Dan (Trudy) Johnston (all of Wenatchee), son Cory (Lorraine) Johnston of Henderson, Nevada, , 7 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren…and a soon to arrive great- great granddaughter. Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, October 28th at Wenatchee First Assembly of God. Arrangements are in the care of Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee. chapelofthevalleyncw.com

LC Johnston

January 6, 1936 - October 6, 2023