Richard Henry Johnston

Richard Henry Johnston died peacefully on the morning of Oct. 1, 2003. He was born Sept. 25, 1917 in Tacoma. His family moved to Kirkland when he was one year old. He married Dorothy M. Albert in 1942 and had two children, Maren Jensen-Metcalf and Kenneth Scott Johnston, both of Whidbey Island.

He worked for the Boeing Co. for 30 years as a master mechanic in automotive, but also had a business of his own, selling moorage at his own dock in Houghton (later annexed to Kirkland). He enjoyed restoring, selling and simply enjoying boats. He and his family lived on the shores of Lake Washington for over 30 years, and spent most vacations on the water in their Blanchard Dream Boat named the “Antares” after a nautical star.

He was a volunteer fireman and policeman for the town of Houghton for many years, and took pride in his involvement in the community. He loved to square dance, had a beautiful singing voice, and a sense of humor that he was known for by many. He loved to regale anyone who’d listen, with a good tale from the past.

He had been a part of Whidbey Island since he was a child, traveling here by boat to fish and camp. He became a permanent resident almost 30 years ago.

He’d been a loving partner to Lois Thayer for the last 16 years of his life. Feeling that he’d finally met a true soul mate, they traveled and fished their way up and down the coast from Baja to Alaska.

He is survived by his beloved Lois; his two children, Maren and Scott; and four grandchildren, Olivia Teal Asplund of Piedmont, Calif., Nicolas Wren Metcalf of Seattle, Cassie Amanda Johnston and Travis Richard Johnston, both of Whidbey Island.

Special thanks to the entire team at Hospice of Whidbey Island, who made it possible for Dad’s peace and comfort the last three weeks of his life.

Services will be held on Friday, Oct. 10, at 1 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland, across from Island Athletic Club on Highway 520. Arrangements are under the care of Visser Funeral Home in Langley.