14 Apr 1904 – 30 Mar 1986
Husband of Cora Larsen
Thomas D. Johnston, 81 died at the Calistoga Convalescent Hospital on Sunday, March 30 after a short illness. Tom was born April 14, 1904 in Fort Bragg, Mendocino County, CA.. He was one of three brothers; two brothers predeceased him. at the age of four he moved with his family to Contra Costa County where the father served as a Superior Court judge. Tom completed his early schooling there and then went on for a time of study at the University of California at Berkeley.
He then entered the construction industry where he worked for well over 40 years. His work involved him in some of the great construction companies of the west coast including Utah, Bechtel, Bigge and Pan Pacific Construction in the Panama Canal Zone.
While working in Emeryville he met his wife, Cora Larsen. In 1946 he accepted a job as construction superintendent in the Panama Canal Zone and in May 1947 they were married.
Tom’s major hobby through much of his adult life but especially after retiring from the construction business was a keen interest in lapidary. He and his wife had gem and mineral interests for a number of years. They participated in many of the key west coast gem shows.
Tom’s outside interest included membership in the Calistoga Rotary Club where he served on the board of directors. He was a Mason with a membership in Occidental-California Lodge No. 1 in San Francisco. He was a past member of the Shriners and a past member of Ye Old Timers Mineral Club.
He is survived by his wife Cora and three children by a previous marriage. They are daughter Barbara Loy and sons James Thomas Johnston and L. Richard Johnston, all of Arizona. Also fifteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren survive.
Memorial service were held in Logan, Utah with burial in the family plot. Hall Mortuary of Logan is in charge of arrangements. The family suggested that memorials be made to the Callistoga Rotary Club Memorial Fund, the Calistoga Volunteer Fire Department, or the Shriner’s Hospital in San Francisco.
Baby Photo
Funeral Program
Logan City Cemetery, Logan, Utah
