Obituary of Howard V Johnston

Howard V. Johnston, KIMBERLY, passed away Thursday, April 8, 2016. Howard was an intelligent and well-read man; conservative in his living, and liberal in his politics. He loved his family (dogs included); he loved to travel; he loved life and he lived it to the fullest. Son of Vernon and Hope Johnston, Howard was born October 10, 1927, in Toledo, Ore. In high school, he participated in the marching band and played sports. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. While a 17 year-old student at Oregon State University, he decided to enlist with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War serving aboard Iowa-class battleships as a Crypto Electronics Technician. After his service with the military, Howard worked for the Jet Propulsion Lab in White Sands, the Minute Man Missile, and the Mercury Rocket Program. These experiences led to his long-term employment with The Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) in California, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada and Idaho. On May 3, 1954, Howard married Janet Halbrook and had two children - Connie Lee Johnston and Johnny Elwood Johnston. They divorced and Howard transferred to Dubois, Idaho where he met and married Reva Belle Smuin on April 2, 1965; they were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple. Reva's two children, Renn Val Daniels and Gwenda Ruth Daniels, joined the family. In 1975 they moved to Kimberly. A 50-year-plus active member of the Lions Club, he emulated the motto, “We Serve”, in all aspects of his life. He held various leadership positions, including president. Most recently, he was a member of the Snake River Monarch Lions Club, working to better the community. He also volunteered in the scouting program, leading youth down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, backpacking deep in the Wilderness Areas of Idaho and preparing them for life. He loved to fish and hunt, and taught his sons how to harvest game and fish in the backcountry of Idaho. Howard was a member of the LDS church. His great love was researching genealogy. As a young man, he would pester the adults wondering about some aspect of their family history. Because of his curiosity, he was able to gather and exchange a lot of valuable information. He shared his knowledge by volunteering at the Family History Library. After the death of his beloved Reva, Howard met Connie Jo Ray who shared his interest in family history. They decided to marry. However, while gathered for family pictures minutes prior to the ceremony, Howard suffered a massive stroke from which he never recovered. Connie Jo stayed by his side for the next six weeks until his passing. A cancer survivor of fifteen years and a sufferer of chronic back pain, Howard fought for every good thing in his life. He knew how to seek answers, not give up, and show compassion. Howard is preceded in death by his wife Reva Belle; and is survived by his fiancée, Connie Jo Ray of Gooding; brother, Harold (Evelyn) Johnston; sister, Dona Mayfield; children, Connie (Jon) Hunt of Kimberly; John (Lois) Johnston of Spring Creek NV; step-children, Renn (Cheryl) Daniels of Alpine, UT; and Gwenda (Jerry) Lockwood of Hansen; 15 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. The family wishes to give special thanks to the Oak Creek Rehabilitation Center in Kimberly, St. Luke’s Medical Center in Boise and all of his doctors, therapists, and other caregivers. A public viewing will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, at the Rosenau Funeral Home in Twin Falls. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 15, at the LDS chapel on Birch St. in Kimberly. Family and friends are encouraged to share their memories at www.rosenaufuneralhome.com