Michael Kristopher Johnston

Michael Kristopher Johnston, 33, died April 25 after a 2 ½ year battle with cancer. He was born on January 29, 1991, to Heather Johnston in Albany, Georgia. His mother,together with his beloved Mema and Aunt Holly, were the most important people in his life and hardly a day went by that didn’t speak to at least one of them. 

Michael lived and worked in Atlanta for 7 years, where he helped open the Prada luxury clothing store. Then after 3 years living in Washington, DC, he moved to Utah.

On April 9, 2021, he married Peter Valcarce. From their home in Bountiful, they built an adventurous life together that included traveling the world, visiting 20 countries on 5 continents. Among their adventures were learning to ride elephants in Thailand, kayaking in the Galapagos, surfing in Mexico, driving Italian sports cars through Tuscany and, during COVID, having the rare opportunity of being alone inside the Great Pyramid.

But his favorite place in the world was Moab. He loved the beauty of the red rocks and enjoyed showing it off to friends and family. Michael was a skilled off-road Jeeper and would regularly show his skills to others on the trails of Hell’s Revenge, even conquering the more-challenging Hell’s Gate.

He loved all things automotive and during the last years of his life began pursuing a car restoration business, starting with a ’65 Corvette. But because of his cancer treatment the car will be completed posthumously in his honor. 

Michael was always the epitome of style and never left the house without looking perfect. He attracted the looks of others wherever he went and was always making new friends. He always had a well-meant compliment for random strangers and he made the day brighter for everyone he met.

Even during his cancer treatment, he was always upbeat and optimistic about the future and always made the doctors, nurses and other medical staff laugh, even after receiving one of many negative diagnoses.

Michael is survived by his spouse of Bountiful, his mother and stepfather, John and brothers Gabriel and Jensen Lombardi, Albany, Georgia; his aunt Holly Johnston, Calhoun, Georgia; uncle Eric Millard, Lakeland, Florida and uncle and aunt Joseph and Erin Johnston, Indianapolis. He was a mentor to his cousins, Madison and Ailynn. He was proceeded in death by his beloved Mema Diana Millard and Poppy Gary Johnston.

The family would like to thank the loving care of Laura, Deana, Jaysun, and the hospice team at Community Nursing Service and Tabitha from Amada Health Care. Michael received care from the quality doctors and health care professionals at the Mayo Clinic, The Huntsman Cancer Institute, but it was the care from the always optimistic Dr. Jonathan Whisenant, at Utah Cancer Specialists, who undoubtedly extended the quantity and quality of Michael’s life.

A viewing will be held Tuesday, April 30 at 11:30 am, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 pm at Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N 400 E in Bountiful. Michael will be interred at Memorial Lakeview Cemetery, also in Bountiful.

The service will be live-streamed and may be viewed by going to www.lindquistmortuary.com and scrolling to the bottom of Michael's obituary page. 

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