Jon R Johnston

Jon R Johnston passed away on May 11, 2026, one day before his 75th birthday.

Jon was born on May 12, 1951 in Mesa, Arizona, to Lavar Johnston and Wanda Cross. Jon grew up all around Arizona and liked to talk about how he attended five different elementary schools before his family settled in Fruita, Colorado. Jon credited the frequent moves with helping him learn people skills. He finished his schooling in Fruita and formed many lifelong friendships there.

After serving a Spanish-speaking mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Texas, Jon earned his degree in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University. He was forever grateful for his choice to live in Park Plaza Apartments where he met Ruthie Robinson. They were married on April 24, 1973 in the Mesa Arizona Temple. They built their life together in Tempe, Arizona, where they raised their five children. After teaching for 5 years, Jon switched tracks to become an accountant. Accounting combined Jon’s love of numbers with the joy he found in helping people. He enjoyed it so much that he was working on his clients’ taxes right up until days before he passed away.

Jon loved hot sauce (the hotter, the better), dark chocolate, and watching sports. Jon found a lot of joy serving in the Church. He served in many callings throughout his life. He particularly loved working with the missionaries and teaching Sunday School. Jon was friendly and outgoing; he could start a conversation with absolutely anyone. He loved to meet new people almost as much as he loved spending time with his lifelong friends. Jon had a green thumb. He battled the Arizona heat to successfully grow tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, citrus trees, and sunflowers. He loved spending time in his garden and watching the hummingbirds visit the feeders he set out for them. Jon was a proud grandfather and loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Jon is survived by his wife, Ruthie Johnston; his children: Jon (Amy) Johnston, Katherine (Robert) Evans, Michael Johnston, Lydia (Adam) Johnston, and Owen (Charli) Johnston; his siblings: Dan (Laura) Johnston, Arlea (Gary) Lee, Leslie (Cleophus) Jones, and Anita (Marty) Robbins; and his 10 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his infant brother Lyndon Johnston.