CORVALLIS - Gary Johnston, (79), of Corvallis, Oregon, passed away on July 9, 2023 after a short illness. He was born in Seattle, Washington, the third child of Clifford and Ardis Schreiber Johnston. Gary grew up in Seattle and Redmond, Washington, and completed a Bachelor of Arts in Zoology at the University of Washington. At UW he met and married Shirley Dianne Johnson. After graduation he completed U.S. Army Infantry Officer Candidate School. He and Shirley were posted to Okinawa for two years where Gary commanded the 257th Replacement Company.

Gary and his wife completed doctor of veterinary medicine degrees at Washington State University in 1974, and then moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, to complete internships and residencies at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Gary became a board-certified veterinary radiologist, and taught at the University of Minnesota.

Gary and his wife raised a son, Gary Ryan, and daughter, Alison Lela, in Minnesota. Gary Ryan is now a Google Certified Trainer and Learning Coach in Lima, Peru. Alison is a Professor of European Economics at Oregon State University. After veterinary faculty careers of more than 24 years, Gary and Shirley moved to Claremont, California, where they were founding faculty of a new College of Veterinary Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona. That college graduated its charter class in 2007. Gary retired from academia in 2013.

Gary was a member of many professional veterinary associations, and mentored nine domestic and international graduate students in veterinary radiology. He was the author of more than 120 scientific publications, and gave invited presentations throughout the United States, and in Australia, Italy, Japan, and the Netherlands. He was the recipient of the Norden Distinguished Teaching Award in 1995 at the Western University of Health Sciences-College of Veterinary Medicine. In retirement he enjoyed time with his family, ocean fishing, traveling, and gardening.

Gary is survived by his wife, Shirley Johnston; son Gary Johnston, daughter-in-law Lisa Featherstone and beloved granddaughter Ava Johnston (Lima, Peru); daughter Alison Johnston, daughter-in-law Angie Docherty and beloved grandson Jordan Docherty (Corvallis, OR); and sister Judy McNally (Vancouver WA).

At his request, Gary was cremated for later interment in Seattle. A celebration of his life will be held on July 23, 2023 at 10:30 AM at the McHenry Funeral Home in Corvallis. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to The American Civil Liberties Union www.aclu.org, or the West End Shelter for Animals, 1010 East Mission Blvd, Ontario CA 91761.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Albany Democrat-Herald on Jul. 13, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Gary Johnston

Sponsored by McHenry Funeral Home & Cremation Services - Corvallis.

22 Entries

Bill Rivers

December 17, 2023

Dear Shirley and Family: I was very sorry to hear of Gary's passing. He was a true mentor to me during my time at U of MN. A diagnostic radiologist without peer and a great teacher too. Truly a giant in the field and I am so privileged to have known him. He will be missed greatly.

Carmen and Oscar

Planted Trees

Robert Hardy

July 18, 2023

Dear Shirley, Ali and Gary Ryan: Your Dad was "one of a kind" .WE became fast friends for life when you and he joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota in 1974. Not sure that was good for Shirley, as Gary and I spent hundreds of hours together hunting and fishing throughout Minnesota and later in NW Wisconsin. He was as good a friend as a person could have. Great fun to be with, kind, loved the outdoors as much as I dd and could fish from dawn to dark whether they were biting or not. We loved to fish for anything that would bite, and would fish for hours even when the fish didn't cooperate. Such was our enjoyment of spending time together on the water of in the woods. It was a sad day for Sharon and I when he and Shirley moved to California but we still shared time at our NW Wisconsin cabin every summer for years, both summer and Fall. He remained an honored guest at our cabin until he wasn't able to travel alone the last several years. He remained my finest, long term friend throughout his life and will be missed deeply by all who had the pleasure of sharing time with him.

Nicole Beaudet

July 14, 2023

I am honored that I was a member of the charter class of Western U. Dr. Johnston was an amazing professor, mentor and human being. The family is in my heart during this sad time.

Zarah Hedge (WesternU 2009)

Planted Trees

Mary Juber, CVM '86

July 12, 2023

Dear Dr. Shirley,

I echo the sentiments of my classmates Jerry, Denny, and Tom. We were blessed to have so many wonderful professors at the U of MN, and Dr. Gary was one of the finest. I recall his kindness, patience, and sense of humor. He helped make the reading of radiographs just a bit less mysterious. Seeing my first case of Blastomycosis on chest rads during my rotation revealed to me that radiology can be almost like magic. I do remember dreading taking abdominal films -- enemas on the patient first! I am so thankful to Dr. Johnston for being an inspiration to me and to so many others during his long career.

May God comfort you and your family,

Edna and Guillermo Cova

Planted Trees

Christine Alvarado, DVM (WU 2007), DACLAM

July 12, 2023

Gary Johnston was one of the kindest, most helpful/encouraging people for us all. The world has lost a great person/mentor/teacher with his passing. He was alway available/willing to help. His ability to share his joy when teaching radiology made it so much fun to learn. One of my proudest moments was asking for his input on a case I would be presenting in a National meeting (years after graduating vet school and a residency in a different specialty) and he said the same thing I did about the radiographs. I did a little dance that day. He obviously had a huge impact on me.

Shirley, both you and Gary are loved by us all. Place your right hand on your left shoulder, and leave it there Now place your right hand on you left shoulder and leave it there. Now squeeze with both hands and your arms. ((((hugs from afar)))))

Bob DIETL DVM UMN66

July 12, 2023

Dear Shirley & family,
I'm so sorry to hear that Gary passed away. I have such fond memories of you both & your time here in MN. What fun we had at VMA meetings. I will always treasure the memories of the Gary & Bob Hardy show, what wonderful banter between those two. Then add Perman & Jesson and you had quite a foursome.
Know that you all are in are thoughts & prayers. Gary will be remembered by all of us & live on in our memories.
Shirley, hugs to you & family

Pamela Govett

July 12, 2023

I am so saddened to hear of Gary´s passing. Although I hadn´t worked alongside him since 2011, he was a great mentor and has made me a much better doctor. He had a huge heart and was encouraging of both students and faculty alike. He will be greatly missed by and live on in so many. Hugs to you Shirley.

Lisa Contreras WU Class 2007

Planted Trees

Jerry Torrison

July 12, 2023

Dear Shirley and Family,
The U of M class of '86 has great, fond and timeless memories of the experiences we had with Gary as our teacher and mentor. He and the radiology team convinced most of us we could (probably) see what he was explaining on the images. He made the lectures (photos of ice fishing vehicles breaking though the ice) and rotation a lot of fun while helping us learn our craft. Shirley - we all remember your wise words as commencement speaker for our class and we want you to know that both you and Gary made lifelong impressions on all of us. We send love and condolences as you have to say farewell to Gary.

Tom Bowersox, DVM, DACVS

July 12, 2023

I was so sad to hear of Gary's passing. Dr. Johnston was a great mentor to me as a veterinary student in the mid 80's at the U of M and then Gary became a great friend while I advanced thru a surgery residency and became a faculty member throughout the 90's. His great sense of humor and friendship got me through some very stressful times and I knew he always had my back. I was very lucky to have known him and I always smiled when I walked into radiology and he was on duty. We had some good belly laughs between us. It is a great memory for me to carry. God bless you Gary.

Denny Albert

July 12, 2023

Dear Shirley,
I am so sad to hear this news. I had a work-study job for Dr. Johnston for several years during vet school. He was such a good guy and teacher and I remember him with respect. My thoughts are with you and your family. You supported me as well through your teaching and by writing a generous reference for me to the Angell Memorial internship program. You have both contributed so much to students and the profession. I know Dr. Johnston will be sorely missed by all.
Denny Albert, U of MN CVM, Class of 1986

Denny Albert

July 12, 2023

Dear Shirley,
I am so sad to hear this news. I did a work-study job for Dr. Johnston for several years during vet school at U of MN. He was such a good guy and teacher. My thoughts are with you and all the family. You supported me as well through your teaching and by writing a generous reference to the Angell Memorial internship program. You both have contributed so much to students and the profession over the years. I know Dr. Johnston will be sorely missed by all.
Denny Albert, U of MN CVM
Class of 1986

Blaire Cullman-Clark, Western U DVM Class of 2013

July 12, 2023

What a huge loss this is, not only for the veterinary community, but for the world.
Dr Johnston was smart, kind, funny, caring, dedicated, and just an all-around good person.
I remember looking forward to his radiology classes because he made the material interesting and accessible for everyone. He believed in every student, and we felt that.
He touched so many lives and I hope he knew what he meant to all of us.

Carmela

July 12, 2023

Dearest Shirley,
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Gary´s passing.
I´m so very sorry for your loss and pray for you and your family as you move through this difficult period
You and Gary will forever have a spot in my heart and have forever changed my life much love to you.
Carmela Panza, WU Class of 2007

Christine Tindal Green

Planted Trees

Wael Khamas & Family

July 11, 2023

Dear Shirley
Our sincere condolences to you and all your family. May God The Al Mighty accept him in Heaver and give you all patience and endurance to pass through this difficult time. Very kind man and sincere in everything he had done. His support to me when I joined the school is unforgettable.
Wael Khamas and Family

Elizabeth Hoppe

July 11, 2023

Dear Shirley,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your life partner. Please accept my sincere condolences. Thinking of you at this difficult time. Elizabeth Hoppe, WesternU Optometry

Miguel Daniel Saggese

July 11, 2023

Dear Shirley, our sincere condolences, we send you a big hug in this difficult moment. Our thoughts are with you and your family. We remember Gary very fondly, it was a great honor and privilege to meet him and work with both of you. Miguel Saggese and family.