Douglas Johnston

The family of Douglas Keith Johnston wish to announce the peaceful passing of our father, grand-father, uncle, brother-in-law and friend on Monday, November 18, 2019 at the age of 89 at the Portage District General Hospital.

Doug leaves to mourn his sons Robert (Jonita), Kevin and Layne (Sheila), grand-children Jesse and Hannah, numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nephew, nieces as well as grand-nephews and nieces.

Doug was predeceased by his parents Merle and Selena, his wife Alice of 50 years in 2017, his brother Gordon in 2005, sister Gwen in 2006, as well his nephews Bradly Johnston and Craig Farncombe, and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law in recent months and years.

Doug was born on July 23, 1930 in Portage la Prairie and grew up during the Great Depression and War years.  As a youth he loved sports, and played high school football as well as learned to box from his older brother Gordon.  As a young man he tried several different jobs, working for his Father on a railway construction crew, and in banks in both Moose Jaw, SK and Winnipeg, MB.  Doug also spent two years serving part-time in the Reserve army in his late teens and learned to fire anti-aircraft guns.

On Sept. 3, 1966 he married the love of his life, Alice, and they went into pastoral ministry not long after, serving in several churches in small towns in Alberta and Manitoba.  Around this time, his first son, Robert was born in Edmonton, AB in 1968, followed in 1971 by Kevin in Winnipeg, MB.  In 1974, the Johnston’s returned to Portage la Prairie, where Doug went into business as an accountant, and his wife became a nurse at the Portage hospital.  Not long after, their third son Layne was born in 1975.

In addition to sports, Doug enjoyed hunting, camping, and taught each of his sons to fish and have an interest in the outdoor life.  Throughout his family’s growing up years, there were numerous camping trips, and he served in and led a boys’ program known as the Christian Service Brigade, teaching them Bible verses as well as camping skills and crafts.  As his Christian faith was important to him, he also led his family on various mission trips to Jamaica, where they helped out by doing a Vacation Bible School, crafts, and building a nurses first-aid station.

A Funeral service and fellowship time to remember Doug will be held next Friday, November 29, 2019 at Highway Pentecostal church in Portage la Prairie, 1680 Sask. Ave West, at 1:30 in the afternoon.  Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.

Should friends so desire donations may be made in Doug’s memory to Gospel Missionary Enterprises and its charitable work, phone 306-262-7425 www.gmissions.com/donate.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com