Michael Joseph Johnston

1941 - 2025

Michael Joseph Johnston

October 24, 1941 - May 15, 2025

On May 15th, with Our Lady of the Rockies looking down upon him, Michael Joseph Johnston passed away at The Springs Senior Living Facility surrounded by family.

Mike was born on October 24, 1941, to Catherine (Cass) Johnston. He was the third of five siblings. The family spent most of their childhood causing mischief in the Corktown neighborhood of Butte. He attended local schools and graduated from Boys Central in 1959.

In 1960, he married Patsy Spencer. They had four sons together and later divorced after 17 years. After graduation, he became a master machinist, working both above and below ground. After a series of miner's strikes, he decided to follow in his mother's footsteps and earned his teaching and Master's degree from Western Montana College. During his 30-year teaching career in Butte schools, he shaped countless lives with his unique and loving approach to education. He was affectionately referred to by his students as "Mr. J," and was beloved for his sense of humor. He was a fierce supporter of Butte unions and public schools. If you are reading this, remember to thank a teacher.

Mike was a very involved father and was instrumental in starting the Butte Wrestling Club with some like-minded families, in the late 1960's. Fittingly, his grandson, Cory Johnston, is the current wrestling coach at the Butte High. He rarely missed a sporting event if his sons or grandkids were competing, always pretending to be calm. He epitomized what a supportive father and grandfather should be.

He was blessed to spend 50 years with his life partner, Judy Brogan. They loved to travel and had countless adventures. Whether it was a trip to Dublin, Ireland, to celebrate the millennium or a quick unscheduled trip to New York City, their bags were always packed (literally.) They were long-time Grizzly fans and were in attendance for their first national championship win, in 1995. They enjoyed jazz festivals in New Orleans, loved professional sporting events, and later in life, spent numerous weeks in Scottsdale, Arizona. They made new friends in every pub they crossed, and Pops had an unbreakable habit of over-tipping. Also, in his spare time, he enjoyed giving putts to his brothers, John and Frank, but claimed they rarely returned the gesture.

Mike is survived by his best friend, Judy Brogan. Siblings, John Johnston (Carol), Gay Rosa (Dan), Frank Johnston (Mary), Jim Johnston (Linda); Sons, Mike Johnston (Phenoy) of Pittsburgh, PA, Mark Johnston (Kathy) of Ronan, Bob Johnston (Patty) of Butte, and Joe Johnston (Kory) of Missoula; Grandchildren, Ristina Wilting, Mark and Cory Johnston, Krystal Kelly, Tyler and Jake Johnston, Jack and Jayden Johnston, Geno Burfield and Tiffany Doerfler; numerous great-grandchildren; beloved nieces and nephews, and the Herzog family. He was preceded in death by his mother, Cass; aunts, Florence Gavigan and Loretta McCloskey; nephew, David Rosa; and niece, Nettie Johnston Ore.

A memorial service will be held at the Duggan Dolan Memorial Chapel on Friday, May 23rd, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a celebration of life at The Butte Depot.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Springs for their patience, love, and compassion over the past months. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Dream Big Foundation, the Butte Wrestling Club, or a charity of the donor's choice.