Norfleet Johnston

Norfleet Rand Johnston, Sr., passed away peacefully on June 6, 2024. “Fleet” adored Ella, his recently deceased wife of 42 years. They met at church in 1980 and were married in 1981. She made his world go ‘round.

Fleet was a lifelong supporter and champion of the Boy Scouts of America. He attended seven World Boy Scout Jamborees, was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, and received the coveted Silver Buffalo Award for his 63 years of service. In 1959, Fleet’s father, Gale F. Johnston, Fleet, and his two brothers, Buck and Cham, founded the Johnston Memorial Boy Scout Museum in memory of Fleet’s mother, Miriam. In 1970, The Gale F. Johnston Trust endowed the National Scout Museum, which is now known as the National Scouting Museum of Cimarron, NM.

Fleet graduated high school from the Webb School in Bell Buckle, TN, and went on to Princeton University where he served as Captain of the Fencing Team. Ranking third in the nation, he was an alternate for the US Olympic Fencing Team. In 1956, Fleet and his brothers founded the Johnston Award – a coach’s award presented to a member of the Princeton varsity fencing team who best exhibited perseverance, determination, self-control, and modesty, and who by constant improvement contributed outstanding service to the team.

After Princeton, Fleet married his first wife, Rosemary Wood, served in the US Navy then returned to New York where he began his banking and insurance career. They traveled the world together, then settled with their three daughters in Rosemary’s hometown of Gainesville, GA., and soon thereafter had their Son, Randy.

There, Fleet worked at Citizens Bank. In addition, he owned WNRJ, a local radio station. He served as President of the Chamber of Commerce and was a Rotary Club member. In 1970, Fleet and Rosemary along with 16 other couples founded Lakeview Academy. They were foundational members of the Gainesville Theater Alliance, the Gainesville School of Ballet, and the Gainesville Ballet Company led by the accomplished Diane Callahan. All of these entities continue today, evidencing Fleet and Rosemary’s lasting legacy in the Gainesville community.

Fleet loved his travels, especially the African Safari with his brothers and travels to Japan, a favorite destination which he loved for its simplicity and history.

Fleet was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ella, and daughter, Holly Johnston. He is survived by his children: Honey Secunda, Daytona Beach, FL, Jessie (David) Carmon, Gainesville, GA., Randy Johnston, Sterling, VA, and David Gilmore, Ft. Smith, AR; grandchildren: Hannah Goza (Evan), Marietta, GA, Evan Secunda (Amanda), Gainesville, GA, Jimbo Secunda, Daytona Beach, FL, Nora Johnston, Sterling, VA; great grandchildren: Parker Lauren Goza, Marietta, GA, Reeves Ross Secunda, Rhodes Rand Secunda, both of Gainesville, GA

A graveside service for Fleet and Ella will be held at 1:00 PM June 29, 2024 at Mimosa Cemetery in Lawrenceburg, TN. Condolences may be sent to Fleet’s children, 751 Oak Shire Ct., Gainesville, GA 30501. Memorial gifts may be made to The National Scouting Museum, 17 Deer Run Rd., Cimarron, NM 87714 or your local Boy Scout Troop.

The family will receive friends following the service at Best Western Plus at One Western Way Lawrenceburg, TN 38464.