Peter Samuel Johnston

Peter Samuel Johnston passed away on September 17, 2012 in Scott Bar, California, after a good and long life. Born in Kansas in 1919, he grew up on a small dairy farm in the community of Yates Center. With his brother Gene, he learned how to put in a good day's work and was always ready to take on whatever job needed doing. An ingenious mechanic, Pete could look at just about any problem and devise a good solution. He followed his adventurous spirit as a young man and headed west, where he married his sweetheart Celia Maxine Hamilton. Together through the years they raised a family of three boys, Pete, Hank and Denver. They spent time in Colorado where he worked as a mechanic, headed north to Alaska where they developed a homestead on the Eagle River, and Pete worked as a brakeman on the railroad between Anchorage and Fairbanks. They finally settled in Victorville, California, near where Pete's sister Dorothea Dodd lived. He went to work for Southwest Portland Cement Company and became Production Foreman overseeing plant operations. His beloved wife and mother of his sons passed away in 1972. A gentle man, humble and clear eyed, Pete had a quiet faith in God that was illuminated by the way he lived his life. He taught his sons by example. His passions in life included hunting, fishing, camping and even the simple pleasure of heading into the mountains to cut a load of firewood. Pete was generous with his time and loved nothing better than helping out loved ones with whatever work they needed to have done. He was married a second time, to Pearl Louise Norman in 1975. Pete and Pearl had great adventures in their later years traveling around the country, and spending time with their combined families. Pete is survived by his sons Hank Martin Johnston and Denver Scott Johnston, his brother Harold Eugene Johnston, grandsons Ande Smith and Shiloh Johnston, granddaughter Danielle Parsons, and five great grandchildren. Visitation will be at Victor Valley Memorial Chapel in Victorville, California, Wednesday, September 26, 2012 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM. Graveside services will be the following day, Thursday, September 27, 2012 at Victor Valley Memorial Park at 10:00 AM .

Peter Samuel Johnston

November 5, 1919 - September 17, 2012