Obituary of Stuart Thomas Johnston

Fort Worth—Stuart T. Johnston completed the earthly portion of his eternal life, dying peacefully on Thursday, August 1, 2024

Stuart was born March 1, 1952.  He lived all over the United States:  Utah, Idaho, Pennsylvania, New York, Arizona, Ohio, Colorado, Tennessee, Louisiana, and has been in Texas since 1981.  He also spent 3 summers working on his aunt and uncle’s ranch in Alberta, Canada. Because of a calling to do God’s work he represented the LDS Church in Germany in the early ‘70s; Stuart graduated with honors from Brigham Young University in 1977 with a major in Chemical Engineering.  He completed an Executive MBA from Baylor University in 2000.

After beginning his career with Kodak and Exxon, Stuart migrated from engineering to the business/financial side with Champlin Petroleum where he was manager of Strategy and Capital Budgeting.  He worked for two Dallas consulting firms in the business/legal/technical interface during the 1990’s and completed his career teaching at TCU’s business school for 20 years.  He loved being analytical and was passionate about teaching and helping others reach their potential.

Stuart was a Stephen Minister Leader and a member of the Searchers class at Arborlawn United Methodist Church.  Throughout his life he enjoyed photography, bicycling, target shooting, playing pool and high quality music.  He was widely read and continued to seek educational opportunities all his life.

Stuart was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Shirlee Johnston.

He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Judy, who brought him his most fulfilling times of deep happiness. He is also survived by his brother, Russell Johnston and his wife Shirley of Boise, ID, his sisters, Kathee Merkley and her husband Robert of Queen Creek, AZ. Kirsten Johnston Nakhal of Saudi Arabia and many nieces and nephews.

Stuart’s greatest joy was found in his children and grandchildren: daughter, Jenny and Mac Burgess (children, Ian, Eric, and Linnea) of Bozeman, MT, sons, Stuart Allen and Renee Johnston of Burlington, VT, Christopher Johnston of Billings, MT, Grant Johnston and his fiancée, Stephanie Stanford of Irving, TX,  and stepchildren, Becky Kingston (children, Ava and Cooper) and Chad and Lara Willman (children, Jeremy and Camden) all of Fort Worth, TX.  He was also appreciative of long friendships with Bill Hamblin, of Atlanta , GA and Allen Olsen of Salt Lake City, UT and the support of his brother, Russell and sister, Kathee throughout his life.  Over the past several years, Stuart also developed a close friendship with Fred Vierheller of Fort Worth who visited with him frequently and has provided much consolation during these last few months.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 1:00 pm in the Elizabeth Cramer Chapel at Arborlawn United Methodist Church in Fort Worth.