Hugh Pendleton Johnston

7/4/1939 – 1/8/2018

Hugh Johnston departed this world suddenly on January 8th, 2018 in Apache Junction, Arizona. Memorial services will be held at the Mariposa Gardens Cemetery Chapel (6747 E. Broadway Rd, Mesa, AZ 85206) on January 26th, 2018 at 10AM. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to American Eagle Foundation or St. Mary’s Food Bank.

A Life in Celebration

Hugh was born July 4th, 1939 in Bluefield, West Virginia to Arnold and Larma Johnston.

Airplanes and aviation were one of his early childhood interests. When he reached high school age, he joined the Civil Air Patrol at Bluefield High School.

Hugh met Shirley Gean Hubble when both teenagers were working at the local movie theater. They were married on June 1st, 1957 in North Carolina shortly after graduating from high school.

Hugh Joined the US Air Force on August 8th, 1957. After Basic Military training at Lackland AFB, his first assignment was to Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma. Hugh and Shirley welcomed their first child, Stephen Christopher (Chris) Johnston, on February 6th, 1960. Hugh’s next military assignment was an unaccompanied tour to Hahn Air Force Base near Kirchberg, Germany. The couple welcomed their second child, Cathy Eileen Johnston, on June 28th, 1961 who was born in Bluefield, West Virginia. Upon returning from Germany, Hugh was assigned to the Pentagon and Andrews Air Force Base. While serving in the military, he also worked some part-time jobs which opened opportunities in computers and data processing systems. He completed an Air Force computer programming technical course in Texas. While in the Washington DC area, they welcomed their third child, Kevin Scott Johnston, on December 21st, 1965 who was born in Alexandria, Virginia. Hugh decided to leave the Air Force on November 18th, 1968 and moved the family out west to Arizona to join his sister Lee and her family.

Hugh found an employment opportunity with the City of Mesa in their data processing division. He worked for them for 28 years until his retirement in 1997.

Hugh continued his interest in aviation by learning to fly a Cessna 150 airplane. He obtained his private pilot license and followed it with instrument and Instructor certifications. He also found interests as a Ham radio operator. He also served the community as a volunteer Mesa policeman.

Hugh and Shirley were blessed with six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

His last few years were spent together with his wife at the Brookdale facility.

Hugh is survived by:

• His wife of over 60 years, Shirley Johnston

• His siblings: Lee Hopkins and her family; Sharon and her husband Paul Taylor and their family; and Jack Johnston and his wife Barbara and their family

• His children: Chris Johnston and his wife Christy; Cathy and her husband Joe Desso; and Kevin Johnston and his wife Christina

• His grandchildren: Greg Johnston and his wife Jolie Labrot; Andrew Johnston and his wife Andrea; Jordan and her husband Hyrum Smith; Taylor and her husband Jake Porter; and Kayla Johnston and Alyssa Johnston

• His great-grandchildren: Rowen and Millie Porter; Gideon and Kaydie Hoeffer; Ethan Johnston; and Tegan and Rivers Johnston