Obituary for Harold Lloyd "Hal" Johnston Sr.
Harold (Hal) Lloyd Johnston, Sr., 95, of Salem, Va., passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2016.
He was born in Calgary, Canada, on Tuesday, April 20, 1920, and was the son of Lloyd and Gertrude Johnston. At a young age, Hal moved to Montebello, Calif. where he grew up. He attended the University of Southern California before enlisting in the Navy to fight during World War II. After the war, Hal attended the University of Miami and played quarterback for the Hurricanes. After graduation, Hal moved to Va. and began his education and coaching career. He taught and coached at Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, Andrew Lewis High School, Northside High School, and Lord Botetourt High School. At Northside High School, he was the first head football coach. In 1969, Hal became the first principal at Northside Junior High School and remained there until his retirement in 1985. Hal was an active member at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salem where he served on the Vestry. He also ran the Parks and Recreation Department and was named Father of the Year for Education in 1985.
Hal was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Bates Johnston; his parents; brother, Parker Johnston; and sisters, Helen Owen and Jean Johnston.
He is survived by his children, Linda (John) Hall, Hal, Jr. (Anne) Johnston, and Don (Sara) Johnston, all of Salem; his grandchildren, Betsy (Steve) Burtis of Roanoke, Annie Johnston of Raleigh, N.C., Anne Hall of Blacksburg, Haley (Nick) Chastang of Salem, Chip Johnston of Salem, Rhett Funderburke of Salem, and Kari (Mark) Fitzgerald of Charlotte, N.C.; great-grandchildren, Carter Chastang, Dash and Story Fitzgerald; and nieces and nephews in Calif. and Fla.
The family thanks special caregivers Brenda St. Clair and Joan Moses, Good Shepherd Hospice, and the staff of Salem Terrace at Harrogate for their wonderful care of Hal in the last years of his life.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at Sherwood Memorial Park with the Reverend James Lively and the Reverend Dr. David Dixon officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be given to St. Paul’s Endowment, Gentle Shepherd Hospice, or the Salem Rescue Squad. Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.
The Johnston family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, 540-389-5441.
He was born in Calgary, Canada, on Tuesday, April 20, 1920, and was the son of Lloyd and Gertrude Johnston. At a young age, Hal moved to Montebello, Calif. where he grew up. He attended the University of Southern California before enlisting in the Navy to fight during World War II. After the war, Hal attended the University of Miami and played quarterback for the Hurricanes. After graduation, Hal moved to Va. and began his education and coaching career. He taught and coached at Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, Andrew Lewis High School, Northside High School, and Lord Botetourt High School. At Northside High School, he was the first head football coach. In 1969, Hal became the first principal at Northside Junior High School and remained there until his retirement in 1985. Hal was an active member at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salem where he served on the Vestry. He also ran the Parks and Recreation Department and was named Father of the Year for Education in 1985.
Hal was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Bates Johnston; his parents; brother, Parker Johnston; and sisters, Helen Owen and Jean Johnston.
He is survived by his children, Linda (John) Hall, Hal, Jr. (Anne) Johnston, and Don (Sara) Johnston, all of Salem; his grandchildren, Betsy (Steve) Burtis of Roanoke, Annie Johnston of Raleigh, N.C., Anne Hall of Blacksburg, Haley (Nick) Chastang of Salem, Chip Johnston of Salem, Rhett Funderburke of Salem, and Kari (Mark) Fitzgerald of Charlotte, N.C.; great-grandchildren, Carter Chastang, Dash and Story Fitzgerald; and nieces and nephews in Calif. and Fla.
The family thanks special caregivers Brenda St. Clair and Joan Moses, Good Shepherd Hospice, and the staff of Salem Terrace at Harrogate for their wonderful care of Hal in the last years of his life.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at Sherwood Memorial Park with the Reverend James Lively and the Reverend Dr. David Dixon officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be given to St. Paul’s Endowment, Gentle Shepherd Hospice, or the Salem Rescue Squad. Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.
The Johnston family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, 540-389-5441.