Chris was born and raised in Tyler, Texas. A 1972 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School, Chris lettered in basketball and was a member of the Rebel Guard. Chris went on to graduate from the University of Texas in 1977 with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree. After brief stops in Wichita Falls and Temple, Chris moved back to Tyler in 1980, and opened his own architectural firm in 1986. Chris maintained his firm—working on residential and commercial projects—for 35 years.
Chris spent as much of his free time as possible racing Hobie Cat Catamarans across the country with his wife, Margie, and raced competitively for 43 years. Chris was a member of South Tyler Rotary Club for over three decades, author of the military history book: In Her Father’s Footsteps, and a member of various boards and committees across the community. While in college, Chris was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Chris is survived by his wife of 44 years, Marjorie Neil Johnston; his son and daughter-in-law, Shawn Christopher Johnston and Anna Michelle Johnston; his three grandchildren, Madeline Michelle Peters, Grant Harris Johnston, and Harper Ray Johnston; his brother, Mike Johnston; and numerous nieces and nephews. Chris was preceded in death by his parents, Dave Johnston and Dorothy Brookshire Johnston, and his two sisters, Joanna Bennett and Betsy Brewer.
A graveside funeral service will be held at Cathedral in the Pines Memorial Garden, on Saturday, August 14, 2021, at 9:30 a.m., and will be officiated by Rev. David R. O’Neal, under direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home, Tyler. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
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