Donald G. Johnston

Donald G. Johnston, born April 26, 1935 in Laramie, Wyoming, passed away July 20, 2017 at the Green Houses at Mirasol in Loveland, CO. Don was the only child of Norman and Ella G. Johnston. He graduated from University High School and continued his education at the University of Wyoming. He served in the U.S. Army (1954-1956) as Company Clerk, Specialist First Class at Fort Lewis, Washington, Fort Ord, California, and finally at Fort Lenardwood, MO assigned to a floating bridge company.

Returning to Wyoming in 1957, Don married Ruth E. Hatch in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and to this union were born 3 children. Don served in many capacities with the Coca-Cola Company starting in 1958-1961 in Fort Collins, CO. He then returned to Laramie to manage the Coca-Cola plant 1961-1964. During this time he also repaired and installed fountain equipment in his spare time for Coca-Cola USA. From 1964 to 1970 he served as Assistant Manager of Gambles-Skogmo in Laramie, and Fort Collins. As Gambles disbanded, he returned to Coca-Cola as a Service Technician for Northern Colorado working from Wyoming and Kansas borders to Denver. He retired in 1993 from Denver Coca-Cola.

After retirement, Don and his wife, Ruth, moved to Loveland, CO, then started traveling. They spent most winters in Cornonado, California and took trips to Scotland (the birthplace of his parents), Canada and Mexico, and took many cruises and spent time with their family. Don was an avid Coca-Cola memorabilia collector and a member of the Mile High Coca-Cola Collectors club and traveled to many of their conventions meeting fellow collectors.

Don was never idle, if he wasn’t taking education courses, he was studying journals to learn more. He loved working with wood projects, refurbishing cars, and even inventing tools. Even with all his work and projects, he found time to enjoy and spend quality time with his family. He was a wonderful Father and Husband and will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his wife Ruth and 3 children: Linda J. Lance and Husband Thomas of Kodiak, AK, Steven S. Johnston of Fort Collins, CO, one Grandson, Michael T. Johnston of Fort Collins, CO, and Janell D. Johnston and her fiancé Ronald Easthouse of Loveland, CO. He was preceded in death by his Parents.

Interment and graveside services will be held at a later date in Laramie, Wyoming. Cards and condolences to Allnutt Funeral Service to be forwarded to family.