Allan Howard Johnston

Allan Howard Johnston died July 12, 2015, following a long and difficult illness. He was born in Pittsburgh, PA October 4, 1927 to Allan Tucker Johnston and Mary Elizabeth Hill Johnston, also of Pittsburgh. He was the first of two sons. They raised him in the Pittsburgh suburb of Mount Lebanon, where he attended public school and was a member of Mount Lebanon Methodist Church. He had fond memories of playing clarinet in the band, performing in the senior class play, and participating in Boy Scouts with his dad. Allan received a B.Sc. in Engineering from Penn State in 1949. There he was a loyal member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.

Allan's career took him from Pittsburgh to the small western Ohio town of New Bremen, where he worked for Beatrice Foods. He and his beloved wife, Elaine Graham Johnston, remembered fondly the six years they lived there. They were both active in St. Paul's United Church of Christ and in civic organizations. Allan was particularly active in the Cub Scouts.

In 1965, Allan took a position with the Mobil Oil Corporation, and worked there until he retired. The couple moved to the Cleveland area and raised their two children in Hudson, OH where they were members of the First Congregational Church. Allan was deeply involved in the Boy Scouts, supporting the Hudson public schools, and the high school band. He shared his love of photography, HO-scale model trains, small planes, American history and many other interests with his children, and his fondness for travel with his wife. He was deeply proud of his Scottish heritage, and even wore a kilt on some holidays!

In 1978, Allan and Elaine moved to Walnut Creek, CA, where they lived for the next 25 years. He worked for Mobil's Equipment Building division until his retirement, and followed that with consulting jobs with Mobil and British Petroleum, both of which involved extensive travel, including a 6-week stay in China and Taiwan. While in California, Allan studied for and earned his Professional Engineer certification. In Walnut Creek Allan and Elaine enjoyed attending a wide range of cultural and arts events in the East Bay region as well as San Francisco, and they developed a deep appreciation for California's wines.

Allan and Elaine relocated in 2003 to San Antonio, to be near family. In San Antonio, they continued to savor the city's cultural offerings, including the Symphony, art museums, and shows at the San Pedro Playhouse, the Vex, and at Trinity University. He was an occasional guest host on KRTU. They quickly became active members of the Becomers class at Coker United Methodist Church, where they made many dear friends. In their later years, they gained more close friendships at Franklin Park Sonterra. Allan Johnston is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elaine, as well as his brother, David (Ann) of Washington, PA; his son David (Emily) and grandson Peter (Amberly) all of Greensboro, NC; and his daughter Diane Graves (Bill) and granddaughter Elena Graves. Two nieces, Janis and Barbara, and two nephews, Russ and Scot Teasdale and their families, also survive him. Finally, he leaves Hopscotch, his grand-dog, a Scottish terrier who will miss him.

A memorial service will be held Friday, August 14 at 2pm at Coker United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made in Allan's memory to the San Antonio Symphony.