Hall Morrison "Morry" Johnston Jr.

1937 - 2025

Hall Morrison "Morry" Johnston, Jr.

November 12, 1937 - October 4, 2025

Charlotte, North Carolina - Hall Morrison Johnston Jr., born on November 12, 1937, in Charlotte, NC, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family at home on October 4, 2025. Known to everyone as Morry, he was a cornerstone of his family, the community, and a familiar, integral, and beloved presence to many. His simple, unforgettable greeting, "Hi, I'm Morry," resonated with everyone he met.

Morry was the third of five children born to Dorothy Gardner and Hall Morrison Johnston, Sr. He was a proud graduate of Myers Park High School and the University of North Carolina, where he earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees. In 1962, he received his Juris Doctor with Honors from the University of North Carolina Law School. Morry joined the firm that would eventually become Johnston Allison & Hord in 1966. For 60 years, he was renowned as one of North Carolina's most respected, trusted, and capable lawyers, expertly guiding large family businesses and contributing significantly to the region's corporate legal landscape.

A masterful problem solver, Morry was inevitably the first call that businesses, friends, family, and acquaintances made when they were in need of advice. Helping people and businesses arrive at successful outcomes was his calling card. His genuine approach of allowing people to feel seen and heard was his superpower. He will be remembered as an influential role model both personally and professionally, having mentored, advised, counseled, and befriended so many people.

Morry contributed his wisdom and expertise to numerous organizations, including UMAR Services, where he was Chairman of the Board, Presbyterian Hospital, and Charlotte Country Club, where he served on the Board of Governors. He was a member of the Piedmont Club of Charlotte, the RODS Golf Club (Royal Order of the Dew Sweepers), and TESNUS. And he was a member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church.

Morry was an early practitioner of work-life balance, which allowed him to pursue his hobbies of fishing, hunting, and golfing while enjoying sacred family time at "the farm" and "the inlet." He always said, "There is no outlet like the inlet." At these treasured places, he taught his children and grandchildren life's important lessons and imparted words of wisdom like "nothing good ever happens in reverse."

At age 77, he did backflips off a rope swing on the Waccamaw River, and at 87, he played flag football with his family at the farm. There was seemingly nothing Morry couldn't do or couldn't fix (as long as there was enough duct tape around).

Morry is preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, Zeke Johnston and John Johnston.

He is survived by the mother of his children, Elizabeth Glasgow Johnston; their children, Hall Johnston (Rhonda), Kenna Johnston, Natalie Johnston Greenberg (Hank); and Morry's grandchildren, Brannon Johnston, Alec Greenberg, Hayes Greenberg, and Avery Greenberg. He is also survived by his loving wife of thirty years, Ginny; and her children, Krissa Gaston (Glenn), and Mollie Patterson; and Ginny's grandchildren, McLean Gaston, Myers Gaston, Virginia Gaston, and Charlotte Patterson. Additionally, Morry is survived by his sisters, Jenny Singleton (Rudy), Beegie Caviness; and sister-in-law, Laurie Johnston.

To the end, Morry encouraged everyone he met and reminded us that "life is not a spectator sport."

A celebration of life service will take place at Myers Park Presbyterian on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 1 p.m. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Morry's memory may be made to Monarch / UMAR Legacy Fund, 350 Peedee Avenue, Suite 101, Albemarle, NC 28001. MonarchNC.org/donate.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.