SOUTH JORDAN, Utah — Paul Arthur Johnston, 68, died peacefully at home in South Jordan, Utah, on Sunday, Feb. 24, after a challenging battle with congestive heart failure.
Paul was born in Superior, Wis., on Aug. 25, 1950, to Lawrence William Johnston and Helen Schean Johnston. He grew up in Superior, loving the woods, lakes and Green Bay Packers.
Paul graduated from Superior Senior High School, attended the University of Wisconsin Superior, the Brigham Young University, where he earned a BA in history and Spanish. He later completed an MA in educational administration at the University of Utah. He worked in Wisconsii=n as a young man in the Merchant Marines, sailing iron ore boats on the Great lakes, which enabled him to pay entirely for his LDA mission in North Argentina. Following his mission he married Susan Hamblin on Sept. 10, 1973, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They were blessed with three daughters: Julie, Jessica and Rachel.
After graduation, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was recruited into an Army Intelligence unit and served his enlistment on a NATO base in Naples, Italy. After his discharge, Paul began a long career in teaching. He taught high school social studies and Spanish in Mountain View, and Superior and Barron, Wisc., and many years at Brighton High School in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Paul was a gifted and enthusiastic educator who loved his work, and his students loved him in return.
Paul served faithfully in many Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints callings, including Elder Quorum President (multiple times), High Priest Group leader and instructor, Branch Presidency counselor, Gospel Doctrine instructor and exceedingly faithful home teacher.
In his free time, Paul enjoyed swimming, studying and discussing world history, working in his yard, riding his motorcycle in the Wisconsin countryside and building strong, sturdy homes, both alone and with his brother.
He loved his family and the frequent activities spent with them all. He remained stalwart in his faith and love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ all of his life.
Paul is survived by his wife, Susan; daughters: Julie Nielson, Jessica (Brett) Young and Rachel (Steve) Olsen; grandchildren: Abigail, Cameryn, Jared, David, Josh, Corban, Asher, Lars, Isaac, Logan, Gwyneth and Audrina; and his siblings (Barbara (Tom) Fredrick and Larry (Vickie) Johnston.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
We will miss Paul and look forward to reuniting with him again.
Internment was at the Utah Veterans Cemetery, Bluffdale, Utah.
