James Johnston

1942 - 2024

James Johnston
10/25/1942 - 11/23/2024
James Benedict Johnston, born on October 25, 1942, found heavenly peace on November 23, 2024. Jim grew up in the Richmond District of San Francisco, California and was a member of St Monica's Parish. Jim and his future beloved wife, Maryjane, were baptized in the same ceremony, in 1942, at St. Monica's Church, where both families were longtime parishioners. Jim and Maryjane met again in kindergarten at St. Monica School and did not part until her death in 2003. As a youngster, Jim could be found fishing at Stow Lake or off Muni Pier, or proudly driving around in his 1950s "Merc", purchased with the money he earned from his predawn bicycle paper routes. Jim graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep School in 1960, where he was once nicknamed, "Mr. Touchdown". Jim (and Maryjane) graduated from the University of San Francisco, in 1965 and were married that same year. After earning a degree in Marine Biology, Jim began teaching at Terra Nova High School in Pacifica where he found joy in sharing his deep love of nature and was known as the "cool" teacher who took students on backpacking trips and ocean adventures. Jim and Maryjane moved their family of four kids to Petaluma, where they enjoyed country life with a property full of farm animals. Jim was a talented photographer, artist, musician and craftsman. He was an avid backpacker and SCUBA diver, and was proud to have been certified by Al Giddings (an acclaimed underwater cinematographer). Later in life he could be seen driving in his convertible Mini Cooper - top down, wind in his hair, and John Denver or Johnny Cash on the radio. Jim was known as a gentle and kind man, quietly talented and full of potential. Those who knew him well and those who met him only once felt the extraordinary spirit of a man who willed himself through some tough life challenges, together with Maryjane, keeping most of us in wonder about what it was that fueled his astonishing perseverance. Jim will be remembered by his devoted and loving children, Laura Johnston, Sean Johnston (Lisa), Patrick Johnston (Amy) and Lisa Shaskan (Josh), and 5 grandchildren, Grace Johnston, Avery Johnston, Benjamin Johnston, Maryjane Shaskan and Nora Shaskan. Jim will also be remembered by his loving sister, Judith Henzel (Thurston), brother William Johnston (Sys), brother-in-law, Jim Sullivan and several dear nieces, nephews and cousins. Jim was preceded in death by his soulmate and North Star, Maryjane Sullivan Johnston, his brother-in-law, Michael Sullivan, his sister Mary Regan and his parents, Mary and William Johnston. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Alzheimer's Association of Northern California, the MS Society, or The Wildlife Society Sacramento - Shasta Chapter. There will be a private interment, and a Celebration of Life on a future date.