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George Johnston Obituary
Renton, WA - George Thomas Johnston, 83, died Monday, March 25, 2019 at home surrounded by his family following a long illness.
He leaves his wife of 53 years, Marian "Rickie" (Gonzalez) Johnston; his sons, George Jr. "TJ", Greg, his daughter's Renee Baker and Rachel Blake; and his 5 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Born and raised in Newark, NJ, the son of George and Virginia (Sacco) Johnston, was raised in Rye, New York but spent most of his life in the greater Seattle area.
In his early years, George and his brother Neil lost their parents and moved to Rye, New York to live with their Uncle and Aunt. After graduating High School in 1953, he attended Antioch University in Ohio, graduating in 1958 with a bachelor's degree in Marine Biology. After graduation he moved to Seattle to continue his education at the University of Washington. He worked for Boeing, where he met his wife, Rickie, in a carpool he had created and they were married in 1965 at St. Thomas' Catholic Church.
George worked at Boeing for ten years but left to create his own company, "Flotation Services", his maintenance company that served the residents of the Lake Union Floating Homes for over 45 years. He had a passion for these homes and was a Founding Father of the Floating Homes Association. This organization would help safe guard this unique and special community for decades, because it was continually under threat of being torn down for development. To some the Seattle Floating Homes are considered to be as much of a City Landmark, as the Space Needle. He not only took pride in his business, but truly relished the friends he made during his time there. Over the years, his reputation led him to be named in several books about Lake Union.
An avid reader, he was would read the Seattle Times and Seattle Post Intelligencer from cover to cover daily (except the sports page).
A funeral service will be held, April 11 at 11:00 am at
St. Anthony's Catholic Church
in Renton, followed by a reception
at St Matthews Lutheran, with burial at Greenwood Cemetery.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for George Johnston
Sponsored by The Family.
3 Entries
Billy Sprague
July 31, 2019
Peace be with you George...
July 31, 2019
I was fortunate to get the opportunity to meet George. I was His diver for many years. Geroge could weave a tale as long as the summer night. Where Do I start, "Billy, always look down, you never know what you may find on your travels." I could go on and on. I am so sorry for your loss. It is True, There will never be another George.
Billy R. Sprague
BOB WHEELER
May 10, 2019
Bob and I were saddened to learn of George's passing. George and Rickie share many memories with us through the years, and only distance prevented us from continuing that relationship. There was a vibrancy and energy around George that was delightful. His stories and observations about the people he encountered was entertaining, and would have been a great read. There was only one George. Love to Rickie and the family.
Bob and Vicki Wheeler, 10 Timkak Lane, Pennington, NJ 08534
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