Ronald Johnston Obituary

Ronald James Johnston
Dec. 1, 1953 - Aug. 23, 2015

A Life Tribute

     It is with great sadness that we note that Ron Johnston has passed away.    Ron was born to a military family when they were stationed in Merced while his Dad was in the Korean War.
     He is survived by his Wife, Paula Johnston, his Mother, Dorothy (Dot) Johnston, his Brother, Doug Johnston of San Diego, a Sister, Jacquie Fletcher and nieces and nephews, Jenny Johnston Webster, Heather Johnston, Kyle Fletcher, Ryan Fletcher, Kearsten Fletcher and Amber Fletcher. His Father, Spencer (Bud) Johnston is deceased.
     Ron earned a degree in Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and obtained a State Contractors license. He went on to create the Pacific Landscape business in Merced. Ron was a kind hearted man where his concern was in providing jobs and an income for his employees who had helped him become a successful business man.   He had a sense of humor and was known for his pranks through college and his career.
     He enjoyed living life on the edge doing various high risk hobbies which included racing cars in autocrosse and Formula D cars on all major tracks. He also performed acrobatics in a P-51 Mustang and Stearman biplane. He liked hot dogging the dunes of Pismo Beach in the three and four wheelers or flying his helicopter and Mooney plane. He was a Nationals competitor on his Hobie Cat 18. He always wanted to try something new and exciting.
     Ron had three cats that brought comfort and happiness to him at his office. These three cats are now orphans and need to be adopted by a family willing to take care of them. If anyone is interested in giving these cats a permanent safe indoor environment please contact Paula at her email. [email protected].
     His "Celebration of Life" will occur September 8th at 10:00 A.M. at the First Baptist Church on 500 Buena Vista of Merced. A memorial fund is being set up and more information will be available at his "Celebration of Life". Please note that flowers are not being accepted
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Published by Merced Sun Star from Sep. 1 to Sep. 5, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Johnston

13 Entries

Robert E Smith

August 27, 2022

I miss Ron every time I get on my bicycle .
He was a truly great friend .

robert Smith

April 26, 2016

I just learned of Ron's death and am devastated. Ron was a great friend and riding partner. We rode lunchtimes on and off for almost 7 years, meeting at his office,my office or at Tandem Bike Hause with Billy Goldfoos. Ron was such a careful, thoughtful rider and was a always there to help with flats and other problems. Ron and I became very close over these years and I came to rely on him and his counsel very much.
The loss of Ron in this way is a tragedy in so many ways it is truly difficult to comprehend.
I loved Ron and miss him everyday.

Michelle

September 8, 2015

In 1997 I was living in Kingsburg, looking for work, when Gavin Davis let me know that Ron might be looking to hire someone. On the day I met Ron he drove me all around Merced showing me the city and all the many projects he had worked on since graduating from Cal Poly in 1976. At the end of the ride he said the job is yours if you want it and thus my Merced adventure began.
Ron was an amazing and generous boss. He was always kind, rarely got angry and almost daily thanked me for my work. We had almost nothing in common. He hated coffee. We joked about how on election day, our votes cancelled each other's out. He listened to Rush Limbaugh, I listen to NPR. He liked the Beach Boys, I tortured him with my country music phase and middle eastern music. He hated my hodge-podge of Lavender and Saliva. I told him repeatedly that it was a tapestry! He liked palm trees and shiny leaves. I reminded him we live in a desert, not the tropics! He was amazed by the number of family events and funerals I attended; nearly every weekend a family gathering. He called me a social butterfly. He spent his weekends with boats, cars, planes, bikes, hurtling through the air and water and down hills. I went antiquing and to museums and hung out with friends.
Ron introduced me to La Nita's, Lee and Steve at Precision Brake and yellow legal pads. I introduced him to Indian food, Gaura and all my friends.
He never met a box of See's candy he couldn't finish in a day or two. It drove me crazy that he didn't recycle soda cans.
He took me car shopping and was there when I bought my Toyota. I certainly have my house because of his connections. He sent Jose to mow my lawn every week at no cost.
He took me to Harris Ranch in his plane, on Lake Yosemite in his boat and even a road trip to Mexico for building supplies. He gave me his extra stuff; camera, washer and dryer, vacuum, tv, furniture. I borrowed trucks on a regular basis to pick up furniture or a Christmas tree.
The office was a second home for us both. I don't know, maybe it was his first home. There were cats, an endless supply of diet Dr. Pepper and bikes. Who needs 3 bikes? He took me to lunch; he gave Christmas bonuses. He was there to help when my car broke down or I moved across town.
Every day I will go about my life and see the countless landscapes we created here in Merced. He will be missed so, so much.

Georgia Johnson

September 8, 2015

It was with a sad heart that we learned of Ron's untimely death. We had the pleasure of working with him on a new plan for Bloss Park in Atwater. We are forever grateful for the time and effort he extended to us on this project and we will always keep him in mind as this beautiful plan goes forward. He was a truly good person and it was a privilege to have known him. May he rest in peace.

The Committee for Bloss Park

Doug Young

September 5, 2015

To my great friend and motorcycle riding buddy, ATV riding buddy, inner tubing buddy, track buddy, autocross buddy and bench racing buddy. You brought so much fun and excitement to life and I can't thank you enough for all the memories. You will forever live in my heart. Godspeed.

Rest in Peace Ron ...

Merced High Class of 1972

September 4, 2015

MHS Class of 72

September 4, 2015

Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in Heaven
where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us
to let us know they are happy.
George Bertaina, Dorene Haley Hayner, Robert Marvulli, Loretta Contreras, Karen Smothers Theofanides, Deborah Thrasher Sargent, and our entire MHS Class of 72 ALUMNI would like to express our deepest and sincere condolences to the Johnston family. May Ron Rest In Peace.

September 3, 2015

With the sand between your toes.
There you go...
Your free.
Your in Heaven...

September 2, 2015

Ron was a loyal and fun friend in my high school days, and he cared for others well. Kindhearted, giving and easy to talk to... I was so sorry to hear this sad news. Prayers to the family!

Linda Buchholz

September 2, 2015

While working with the Dept.of Agriculture I had the pleasure of doing plant inspections for Ron. Through this time I got to know what a great person and businessman he was. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Patrick Bloed

August 31, 2015

To my best friend in my wildest dreams I never thought that this is The way it would end to fall out of the sky and walk away without a scratch and then to be taken out by a drunk driver is mind-boggling if you haven't already picked out a set of wings Make sure you get them for speed i'll do my best to make sure justice prevails I know you do the same for me take care. You're loved and missed by all who knew you

Jesslyn Galeazzi

August 31, 2015

I thank the Lord for Ron Johnston, for the blessing he brought to my life as well as others. Memories are like starlight, they go forever. He will forever be in my heart.

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