Obituary of Richard Morgan Johnston

Richard Morgan Johnston, 87, of Morgantown, passed away on March 13, 2018 at Sundale Nursing Home.

Richard was born in Beckley, WV, on September 10, 1930, one of twelve children of the late William Andrew Johnston and Eva (Davis) Johnston. 

The family moved to Princeton, West Virginia, when he was one year old.  He graduated from Princeton High School in 1950 and joined the United States Navy at the start of the Korean War.  He was stationed at San Diego, California, and served aboard the U.S. Piedmont.  After his honorable discharge in 1954, he came to Morgantown to attend WVU. 

One of his favorite hobbies was photography.  He was always seen with at least two cameras.  While at WVU, he was the photographer for the Mountainlair.  He took many pictures on the sidelines during the football seasons.  He was a Methodist by faith and a member of Joseph Summers Masonic Lodge,  Order of the Eastern Star, and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. 

He met his future wife, Patricia Cooper, in 1956 at WVU and they were married in 1959.  In 1959, he also began working for the Federal Aviation Agency as an Electronics Specialist.  He worked for the FAA for 31 years.  In later years, he loved riding trains throughout the United States, even in Hawaii and Alaska.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Pat Johnston; his son, Mitchell Andrew Johnston and wife, Karen Sue, of Martinsburg, WV; his daughter, Tracy Louise Fisanick and husband, Eric, of Windber, PA; six grandchildren: Elizabeth, Tabitha, Josiah, Gideon and Enoch Johnston, and Helena Fisanick; and six siblings: Joyce Carre, Fay Conner, Barbara Alderman, Mary Ann Cox, Robert Johnston, and Douglas Johnston.

In addition to his parents, Richard was predeceased by siblings, Ralph Johnston, Kenneth Johnston, Billie Stump, Carol Dalton, and Van Johnston.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, March 16^th at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce Street, from 7-9 p.m., and again Saturday, March 17^th at Suncrest United Methodist Church, 479 Van Voorhis Road, from 3 p.m. until the service at 4 p.m. with Rev. Tim Halloran officiating. In accordance with his wishes, cremation services will follow and he will be inurned in Lawnwood Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, you may make donations in Richard’s memory to Amedysis Hospice, 3596 Collins Ferry Rd. Suite 250, Morgantown, WV, 26505.