Harold Gene Johnston

On the evening of January 25, 2013, Harold left his home and loved ones here on earth, with his wife holding his hand and his beloved Boston Terrier, Toby, lying by his side. Now he is in the arms of God and reunited with his family up in Heaven. Harold was born December 26, 1939, in Clover Bend, AR, the youngest child of the late Earl and Ella (Gladden) Johnston. The family moved west to Wenatchee when he was a small child, where he was a constant companion of his Grandpa Johnston. Wherever Grandpa was seen, Harold was right along side of him. He attended schools in Wenatchee and graduated Wenatchee High School in 1958. He chose baking as his profession, starting while still in high school at Larson's Bakery and continued on at Curtis Thriftway, Albertson's and finished up his 39 year career at Buttrey's. On April 28, 1960, he married Diana George and they had two sons, Damon and Brent. Harold enjoyed many things in life, including snowmobiling, bowling, fishing and camping. He married Virginia (Kerr) Tryon on October 24, 1974, and added her four children to his family. They made their home in Wenatchee. After retiring, they traveled in their RV and spent several winters in the Lake Havasu area. Circumstances changed and they began going to Montana, where Virginia was born and raised, spending winters, cold though they were, but the friends they amassed kept them warm and remain in their hearts. Harold was a man who didn't know a stranger, being able to talk about most anything, and the things he wasn't sure about, he had a talent for bluffing his way through, with his great sense of humor. Harold was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; brothers, Earl Jr., Neil and Charles Johnston; and a sister, Genevieve (Johnston) Paine. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Virginia; sons, Damon (Julie) Johnston of Wenatchee and Brent Johnston of Mercer Island; step-sons, Lyman (Amy) Tryon of Colorado Springs, CO and William (Brenda) Tryon of Marion, IA; step-daughters, Florence Epperson of Mukilteo and Jamie Tryon of Fort Benton, MT; brother, Reed (Ileen) Johnston of East Wenatchee; sister-in-law, Lyla Johnston of Wenatchee; ten grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and many friends, both here and in Montana, all of whom love and will miss him greatly. There will be a Celebration of his Life with a family potluck picnic at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the United Methodist Church of Geraldine, P.O. Box 167, Geraldine, MT 59446. Burial of his urn will take place in Montana in the Spring. Arrangements are assisted by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Harold Gene Johnston

December 26, 1939 - January 25, 2013