Donald Johnston

MISSOULA - Donald Lee Johnston, 71, of Missoula, passed away, Friday, January. 30, 2009, of natural causes, at St. Patrick hospital.





He was born June 26, 1937, in Anaconda, to Joseph and Helen Johnston. He went to school at Whittier Grade School and attended Missoula County High School for two years.





He later married Dee Miller and then divorced. In 1976 he married Carol Johnston. He worked in a sawmill called White Pine for several years until he was injured.





His passion in life was hunting, fishing and camping with family and friends. He loved watching the Atlanta Braves and beloved Grizzlies play. He collected old bottles, Coca-Cola items, and antiques. In his later years he loved to shop.





Don made lots of friends at West View Park. He always thought of them as his second family. He would help out people whenever he could; he was very generous. When he had to go to the hospital, he also made lots of friends and he appreciated everything that was done for him.





He was preceded in death by both his parents; his wife, Carol Johnston; uncle, Charles Miller; grandson, Daniel Sandvig; and brother-in-law, Paul Chaffey.





Survivors include his daughter, Debbie (Darrell) Castor of Algona, Wash.; sister, Donna Chaffey of Puyallup, Wash. and her children Scotty, Tammy and Shelly; cousin, Peggy Johnston; aunt, Helen Miller and her children Jeff and Roxanne; stepchildren, Phillip (Kim) Sandvig of Ohio, Robbin (Jay) Rielley of Walton, N.Y., Barbara (Gerald) McCall and Walter (Christina) Sandvig, all of Missoula; several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; friends, Bob and Lisa Hadac, Stan and Mandie McClarely and Paulette, all of Missoula.





A visitation will be 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory, with a service at 2 p.m. Clay Freeman will be officiating. A reception will follow the service at a place to be determined.





Read Donald Johnston's Obituary and Guestbook.