Robert Jerry Johnston

November 22, 1935 - February 7, 2021

Robert Jerry Johnston age 85 passed away due to complications of Covid-19 on February 7, 2021 in the Veteran’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT. He was born on November 22, 1935 in Ramah, NM to Jennie James and Jesse Johnston. Together they had 4 boys and 10 girls, but he was his mom’s only son. He attended 12 years of school in Ramah and helped to build the new high school at the time. At age 17 he joined the US Airforce and served for 4 years; including 2 years in Korea as a Russian linguist under dangerous conditions. He returned home and married his childhood sweetheart Carmen Kay Clawson. They were married for time and all eternity on October 28, 1955 in the Mesa, AZ Temple. Jerry was a faithful and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints all his life serving in many capacities including Bishop, High Counselor, Ward Clerk and as a Senior Missionary in Magadan, Russia from May 1999 - October 2000 with his Carmen. This was a cherished, shared experience for them. They were blessed with 6 children and lived most of their lives in Ramah. He had many interests and talents. He worked in a refinery in Gallup and in uranium mines in Grants. He owned a gas station in Zuni for several years and was loved by the Zuni people. The majority of his career was spent as a computer programmer and systems analyst for many businesses in the area. In his later years, Jerry worked for his son Bob doing various jobs related to his long-term care facilities. He loved to invent tools and come up with better ways to do things. He could invent a tool out of anything on hand to do any unusual task. He was a master at woodworking and loved to solve puzzles. He was full of good humor, loved to pull pranks and tell jokes. He made everyone around him feel loved and a welcome part of his life. He is survived by: his wife Carmen Johnston, children Andria (David) Whitlark of Woodstock, GA, Shirley (John) Harris of Lehi, UT, Robert (Mely) Johnston of Farmington, NM, Natalie (Kyle) Larsen of Highland, and UT, Lester Johnston of Ramah, NM, 25 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren, 2 sisters Mervie and Agnes (Don), and many, beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 11 siblings, daughter Elizabeth, her husband Robert Whitehead, and great granddaughter Brooklyn Flores. Funeral Services will be held Saturday February 13th, at 11:00 am, at the Highland 26th Ward Chapel located on 9681 North 6900 West Highland, Utah, where a Viewing will be held prior to services from 10:00-10:45 am. Interment at the W-Triangle Ranch in New Mexico.