Robert Johnston

Robert M. Johnston of Dalton, 89, died Wednesday, December 1, at Wood Dale Health Care Center, of complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

Descended from a long line of seafaring Englishmen, he was born August 1, 1921, in Southampton, England, to Robert I. and Elisabeth Johnston. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Jean Roberts Arm of Northwood, England, and Betty Marie Penketh of Foxton, New Zealand,

In 1940, Mr. Johnston was serving with the Southampton shipbuilding firm of J. I. Thorneycroft and studying engineering with the University of London when he was recommended by the firm to join the Royal Navy. He served proudly in World War II as an engineering officer and was discharged in 1946 with the rank of Commander. He loved to entertain his family and friends with stories of his adventures on the Pasteur, Aquitania and other ships in the Battle of the Atlantic and off the coast of North Africa. He met Virginia Shackleford of Dalton in 1942 while his ship was docked in New York City. They were married in 1945 and settled in Dalton the next year. She passed away in 1996 after 51 years of marriage.

Beginning his civilian career as a plant engineer at Cabin Crafts in 1946, Mr. Johnston was employed by Dalton Public Service from 1947 until 1958, when he formed his own mechanical contracting company. Bob Johnston & Company grew and prospered for more than 40 years, serving a wide range of industrial clients in the carpet industry and others in the Dalton community. In addition to being a longtime Rotarian and civic leader, he served 24 years in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and was an avid gardener. Many Daltonians will remember Mr. Johnston and his workmen for initiating the city’s first Fourth of July fireworks show and putting on the annual spectacular at the Dalton Recreation Center through the 1960s.

Robert Johnston is survived by his wife, Edna Summerour, whom he met and married at age 79. He is also survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Chris and Rita Johnston of Dunwoody, and Andy and Michelle Johnston of Acworth, Georgia; one daughter and son-in-law, Lisa Johnston and Mike West of Marietta; six grandchildren, Brian Johnston of Jonesboro, Anne Johnston Meyer of Decatur; plus Andrew, Samuel, McKenna and Zachary Johnston of Acworth; one great-grandson, Max Meyer; and his cousin, Carol Johnston of Grimsby, England. He was greatly beloved and will be greatly missed.

Services will be Saturday at 3 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Emory Street, with the Rev. Reed Freeman officiating. Burial will follow at West Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Love Funeral Home from 12 to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The family also wishes to thank the caregivers who gave much support. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the 2010 Love Lights, Whitfield Healthcare Foundation, P. O. Box 1168, Dalton, GA 30722-1168.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.
Love Funeral home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.