PHOENIX, Ariz. — Richard Paul Johnston, 87, of Phoenix, Ariz., formerly of Mount Vernon, died in Phoenix on Aug. 2, 2009.
He was born July 7, 1922, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Arthur S. and Laura E. (Streit) Johnston. Richard was an Ordained Elder of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, a World War II Army Ranger Special forces paratrooper combat veteran of the 101st Airborne, a recipient of the Army Occupation Medal (Japan) and World War II Victory Ribbon. He was also a member of the Cleveland Power Squadron.
Richard is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Christa Johnston of Phoenix, Ariz.; sons, Richard (Teri) Blum-Johnston of Highland, Calif., and Carl (Ella) Johnston of Cleaburn, Texas; daughters, Richelle (Douglas) Wright of Alexandria, Va., Constance (George) Maris of Valencia, Calif., and Christine Norman of Las Vegas, Nev.; grandchildren, Carla Blum-Johnston, Alec R. Norman, Savanna Wright, Andy Wright and Eric W. Moore; brother, Arthur (Doloris) Johnston of Valley View, Ohio; and sister, Bernadine (Pete) Lobos of Brooklyn, Ohio.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Howard Johnston; and a sister, Alta Egelston.
Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Dilley-Lasater Funeral Home, 212 N. Main St., Mount Vernon, with his son, Carl Johnston officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens with military honors by the Knox County Joint Veterans Council.
To extend a condolence or share a memory with the Richard P. Johnston family, please visit www.dilleylasater.com.
