Harold Johnston

Harold Dwight Johnston

November 22, 1925 to July 17, 2015

Harold’s life was formed by his service to God. Born to Aaron Harold and Minnie [Parrish] Johnston in Bakersfield, Harold was their second child. As charter members of the First Baptist Church on Truxtun Avenue, Harold’s testimony was that he always knew Jesus. There was never a date or a time that transformed his life. Harold’s youth group was an outstanding group of young people. Elmer Karpe served as a mentor to many of these men and women who started four Bakersfield churches. South Chester Baptist started as a Sunday School for children and did not have a preacher or an adult service for one year. Harold served as the superintendent of the Sunday School while working for Arco and starting his young family. Harold and Marceyln’s only child Kelly Zane now resides in Mannheim, Germany with his wife Hella and daughter Peggy and family.

After graduating from East Bakersfield High School in 1944, and served for 22 months in the Pacific in the U.S. Navy. Harold’s first job was with Southern Pacific Railroad as he followed in his father’s footsteps. When the steam engines were phased out Harold began work at Arco Petroleum until his retirement in 1985. Harold immediately started to volunteer at C.A.L.M. where he enjoyed a close relationship with the staff. Harold became an expert on the birds of prey and extolled many young people at our church, Calvary Bible, by bringing the ambassador animals on site and continuing the educational process of respect for all living creatures. Harold also enjoyed singing and participated faithfully in church choirs all through his life.

Harold married Judy McMullen in 1999 in the living room of their new home in Oildale and celebrated 15 years together. Harold is survived by wife Judy Johnston, son Zane Johnston [Hella], brother Clyde Johnston of Chowchilla and Clyde & Peggy’s four children; Dean [Lorie], Kingsburg, Cathy [Mitch], Cottage Grove, Oregon, Donna [Mark] Chowchilla, Matt [Lynn] Shafter and Judy’s daughter and son-in-law Kelly and Corby Gray of Bakersfield.

Memorial services will be held at Calvary Bible Church Few Chapel on Friday, July 31, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.

A special thanks to Hoffman Hospice for the care and concern shown to Harold during his illness.

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