Jay Jasper Johnston

Jay Jasper Johnston was born on March 9, 1965 in Bothell, Washington. At the age of 5, his family relocated to Vancouver, WA where Jay would attend primary and most secondary schooling and excel in sports, primarily cross country, swimming and track & field. He would also discover a love for music, beginning with the violin before finding his passion for classical guitar. Jay graduated from Pasco High School in 1983 and went on to study music at Washington State University. Moving back to the Portland area, Jay started working in the warehouse at Reser’s Fine Foods in 1987 where he would later meet his future wife, Elise. In 2001, Jay joined Oregon Chai as their warehouse manager and in 2004 became the Logistics Manager at Hartmann Exhibits. In 2004, Jay married Elise and they bought a home in Beaverton where he was able to discover a love for BBQ’ing and home brewing. In 2014, Elise and Jay would welcome an addition to their family in the form of an adorable pup named Clark who would participate in their many adventures and fill their lives with more love. Jay was a sports enthusiast supporting the Seahawks, Blazers and Mariners through thick and thin. Most of all, Jay was an avid cyclist and during his 3 year stint at Oregon Chai would ride his bike from Beaverton to NW Portland via the West Hills because he loved the hill climbs and scenery. Jay was a kind, intelligent, loving husband with a sense of humor beyond compare. On December 10, 2023, Jay passed away at home in the arms of his loving wife from his short battle with cancer. He will be greatly missed.