Arthur W. Johnston, 91, of Atlanta, died Friday, April 19, 2019 at Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital after a brief illness. Born October 5, 1927 in Atlanta, GA, he was the son of the late David W. Johnston, Sr. and Annie (Datie) Johnson Johnston. He learned his love of books, Shakespeare and the English language from his father, and his joy for life and his great character from his mother. He was a graduate of Atlanta Boys High School and of the Georgia Institute of Technology where he earned a BS degree in Industrial Management. After graduation, he served his country in the United States Coast Guard. In 1952 he began his long and successful career with the IBM Corporation. Throughout his IBM career he held several executive positions that took him many places including Holland, Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York, and Paris. He especially loved the time he and his family spent in Asia where he was Vice President and General Manager for IBM’s World Trade Asia Corporation. He concluded his career as IBM’s Resident Manager in Atlanta where he was actively involved in the community. Organizations he served included the USO, the Red Cross, and the United Way. He was also actively involved with the Governor’s Education Task Force. After retiring in 1986, he engaged in many entrepreneurial enterprises. His life long hobbies included golf, cooking, and reading books. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Joyce Shelley Johnston, his devoted children, Arthur F. Johnston, and Julia Johnston Smith (Greg) and grand-children, Philip Gregory Smith, Whitney Smith Munayyer (Wasim), and Brian Edward Smith (Rachel). He was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Shelley Johnston, and his dear brother David W. Johnston, Jr. He had a long and happy life filled with love, laughter, family and many friends. He considered his marriage to Joyce to be the signature event of his life. Funeral Services will be held at H.M. Patterson & Son, 173 Allen Rd., Sandy Springs, GA at 2:00 on Monday, April 22, 2019. A reception will be held following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the USO or the charity of choice.
