Paul Johnston

Mr. Paul Keith Johnston, 74, of Hoover, AL passed away on March 8, 2021. He was born on January 12, 1947 in Batesville, Arkansas to Paul and Edith Johnston. Shortly after, his family moved to their long-term hometown of Mountain View, AR where his father worked in the automobile business and his family, including his older brother Max Johnston, ran a small grocery adjacent to their house. After graduating from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in transportation, Keith began a career in the railroad business, which led him to Little Rock, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, and ultimately Birmingham, AL where he met the love of his life, Doris Thompson, in their Sunday School singles class. Shortly after, they were married and celebrated nearly 38 years as husband and wife.

Before graduating college, Keith served his country in the Air Force from 1966-72, which included two years in Vietnam. Shortly after graduating, he was recruited by the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad where he eventually became a District Sales Manager. His railroad career in Sales Management continued with the Southern Pacific and he closed his career at Burlington Northern Santa Fe. Keith truly loved all things transportation - planes, trains, automobiles, and boats - and enjoyed his sailboat and 280Z before becoming a father.

Keith and Doris raised their two children in Houston, TX and Memphis, TN before retiring in Birmingham, AL. He was a member and a co-leader of his Sunday School class at Shades Mountain Baptist Church, and volunteered at church throughout his life. During retirement, he spent much time with his children and grandchildren, and vacationed with them in Qatar, South Africa, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand. His love of driving led him to spend years driving cars to customers of Hoover Toyota all over the southeast United States. Keith was the spiritual leader of his family and he was a follower of Christ. He lived a life of sacrifice, he always saw the good in things, and he set an impossibly high bar for what it means to be a husband and a father.

Keith is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Edith Johnston.

He is survived by his loving wife, Doris Johnston; son, Jordan (Treena), daughter Erika; grandchildren, Carson Matthew and Connor Keith; and brother, Max Johnston.