Obituary of Herbert Carter Johnston

Herbert C Johnston 08-19-1924 to 12-11-2013 Herbert C. Johnston was born on August 19, 1924 in Gig Harbor WA to Herbert B. and Mabel (Wiggen) Johnston. He spent many hours on Gig Harbor Bay, digging geoducks, rowing across the harbor, and playing with his siblings and cousins. In 1939, his life changed with the death of his Father from tuberculosis. As the eldest child, it was expected of him to become the father figure to his siblings, which included 1½ year-old brother Wayne. Herb always took on challenges and responsibilities, but his whole life he felt this was too much to ask of a young man. Herb’s hero was his Mother, and he followed her Christian teachings and caring beliefs his entire life. Herb enlisted in the Army on March 24,1943. He was an MP and guarded German prisoners in Clinton MS. Under his guard were German generals whom they were required to salute due to their rank. Herb applied for and was eventually accepted and trained as an Aerial Gunner on a B-24 airplane. His crew had just arrived in Okinawa when the war was declared over. Our family is blessed with the bi-weekly letters he wrote home to his Mother while he was in the service. On the GI bill, Herb was able to go to Washington State College (University) to study Forestry, where he met the love of his life, Connie Klahre, from West Hempstead Long Island, New York. When Herb saw Connie he said I’m going to marry that gal, and, he made sure he was her chemistry lab partner. Being a lifelong jokester, he told her to clean out her dirty test tube with acid and a bottlebrush. This resulted in smoke, fumes, and a stern lecture to Connie from her professor. They were married on August 20, 1949 in West Hempstead NY then finished their final year at WSC as a married couple. Connie graduated with a degree in Sociology and Herb in Forestry. After graduation, Herb went to work for the WA State Forestry Service out of Forks WA. He helped fight the Forks Fire, which stopped just short of burning down the town of Forks. They lived in Beaver above the fire hall, until they bought their first home in Beaver. Shortly after arriving in Beaver, Connie and Herb started 4-H clubs with Herb teaching Forestry and Connie sewing and cooking. In 1951, Herb was hired as the Olympic Peninsula Land Manager for Milwaukee Land Company in Forks. Along came daughters Kristie , in1951 and Susie in 1953 to fill out the family. In 1955, they built a home in Forks and moved from Beaver to Forks. Forks turned out to be a wonderful place to live and raise a family for a Gig Harbor boy and Brooklyn NY girl. Life revolved around church and friends, with many picnics, square dancing, beachcombing, card playing, visiting, and friends helping friends. Connie and Herb were members of the Forks Congregational Church with Herb serving as an elder. Herb was president of the Quillayute Valley School Board and a Golden member of the Society of American Foresters. In 1975, Herb was promoted to Manager of Milwaukee Land Company timberland holdings in Washington and Idaho. It was a tough decision to leave Forks for Seattle, but the move was made, and they settled in Kent. The search for an active, welcoming church eventually led them to the United Christian Church in Renton. They quickly became involved in the church and made many friends. Herb was an elder, and showed his leadership though his caring and encouraging manners. Connie and Herb were instrumental in building the new church, which was completed just before Connie died on August 18, 1995 from breast cancer. Herb enjoyed visiting with neighbors and giving gardening advise on his daily 4-mile walk. Herb always tended a large vegetable garden, and spaded and planted a 40 X 40 ft. garden until he was 84 years of age. Herb and Connie were faithful volunteers for the Kent Food Bank. Herb enjoyed writing poetry, and was proud to show off the “Herb Johnston Poem Book” that his Grand daughter Whitney published with photos that complimented his poems. Herb’s strong work ethic, love of family, sense of humor, and positive outlook on life kept him motivated and active in his later years as he worked through complications from a stroke, and arthritis pain. One of Herb’s caregivers said he was the most active resident at the retirement center, more so than those who could walk. Herb has blessed his family with love, humor, poetry, his life story, and a strong belief in the lord. Donations can be made in his name to the United Christian Church Renton, Kent Food Bank, or Forks Timber Museum. Herb is survived by his daughters Kristie (Pat) Herrington – Montesano, Susie (Stan) Graham -Shelton, Grandchildren; Oriana Herrington – Renton, Tami (Kipp) Ressler- Addy, WA, Tyler Graham- Seattle, Steve (Cassie) Herrington- US Army Fort Bragg, NC, Whitney Graham – Boise ID, Great Grandsons: Riley and Rory Ressler- Addy WA, Sister; Arveida Livingston – Gig Harbor, Brothers; Arthur (Carol) Johnston- Port Orchard WA, and Wayne (Karen) Johnston –Concrete, WA, and numerous “favorite” nieces and nephews. Friends and family are invited to a memorial service for Herb on Sunday, December 22 at 1:30 pm at the United Christian Church 15509 116th Ave SE Renton, WA 98058.