Celebrating the life of
G. Ed Johnston
September 22, 1911 - November 06, 2010
G. Ed Johnston
On November 6, 2010, G. Ed Johnston of Savannah was surrounded by his loved ones and caregivers when he left this life.
Born September 22, 1911 in Screven County, GA, Ed learned from a young age there to love the hobbies of hunting, fishing, and golfing as well as the Boy Scout's motto to "Do a Good Turn Every Day." He attended grade school, Savannah High School, and Armstrong College in Savannah before beginning his nearly life-long career in the transportation industry with Central of Georgia Railway. Ed who greatly preferred being called Ed to "Mr. Johnston" enlisted in the United States Army as a Private with the onset of World War II and after graduating from Officer's Training school as a Second Lieutenant, Ed reported to duty in Kansas City as an Officer of Quartermaster Depot. Though he regretted never being able to accompany his fellow soldiers to service in the European theater, Ed would point out that "you go where the Army sends you; you serve where they need you."
Ed received an honorable discharge as a US Army Captain in 1946. In Columbus, Ga that same year, he met the woman he would share his life with, Miss Alice Lee. The couple married in 1947 and spent the next 63 years together raising a family, traveling the world, and throughout all serving faithfully & remarkably in their community. A Rotarian before Savannah had its own Rotary International chapter, Ed was honored to be in the same room with both Rotarians in Savannah and across the globe in his various ambassador travels such trips enjoyed even more so when accompanied by his wife. Local members recall the time Ed heard that soldiers serving in Iraq had wished for decks of playing cards and began making phone calls to his friends at the Savannah Golf Club and his fellow Rotarians. With just a few days of Ed Johnston's good turns, thousands of soldiers received shipments of the playing cards that would help pass their time spent thousands of miles away from home. Exemplifying the Rotarian's oath of "Service Above Self," Ed also served on the Board of Trustees of the Savannah Science Museum, as the President and Director of Chatham Nursing Home Affiliates, and in numerous other civic endeavors.
After the passing of his beloved wife Alice earlier this year, Ed's memory will be carried on by his children Pamela Robertson of Hilton Head, SC and Bill Johnston and his wife Kathie of Savannah, GA, five grandchildren, a great grandson and caregiver Alfreda Myers.
Graveside Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 9, 2010 in the Greenwich section of Bonaventure Cemetery with Reverend Creede Hinshaw officiating.
Both Ed and his family have requested that remembrances be sent to either Hospice of Savannah P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416. or Wesley Monumental Methodist Church 429 Abercorn Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401 in lieu of flowers.
Please sign our on-line guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
Dear Pam and family, I was so sorry to learn of your loss. I just received a note from old-time Savannah family friend Ed Swann who included your dad's obituary. What a great person he was. I know you miss him and your mother greatly. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Karen and Al
- Karen Johnson, Raleigh, NC
Dear Pam & family: I have just returned from a trip so I am just now learning of your dad's passing. He was a wonderful, generous man and he will be sadly missed. Know that you & your family are in our thoughts & prayers. Peace be with you, Chubby & Carol Russell
- carol russell, , GA
Bill, Kathie & Pam - I just heard of Mr. Ed's and Miss Alice's passing. I'm so sorry. They were both such wonderful people. Please know I have you all in my prayers. Fondly, Carlotta
- Carlotta Carr, Dunwoody, GA
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
- Rev. Valentine Vit, , NJ
What a great guy - always had a smile and something friendly to say. We're sure he will be missed.
- Bill & Kathy Flammer, Savannah, GA
Although I did not have the privilege of meeting Mr. Ed Johnston his daughter Pam told me that her parents had been married more than half a centutry. I cried for days but I can stop now because the love story continues..he's home now.
- Gina Dillon, Lawrenceville, GA
My condolences go out to the Johnston Family. I pray that God keep his long arm of protection around your family in the mist of this storm. God put no more on us then we can bear.Peace be with you always. Shandra P.Johnson Property Manager Wyndham Pointe Apartments
- Shandra Johnson, Columbia, SC
I was so sorry to read of your Dad's passing this morning. He was a worderful guy and a pleasure and honor to have known. I was just talking about him and his golf group a month ago, and how much they enjoyed playing at the Golf Club well into their 90's, even though they had to avoid the traps. I know that he and your mom had a great life together, and it was a privledge to have known both of them. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
- Mike Kistler, Savannah, GA
Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal' My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this trying time. 'Cast all of your care on Him, for He cares for you' -Annette Jones Bellewood Park Apartments
- Annette Jones, Nashville, TN
Bill and Family, Please accept my sincerest condolences.
- Jay Hall, Savannah, GA
We shared many good times with Ed and Alice.They will not be forgotten.Love and prayers for Pam, Bill and Kathie.
- Dr. and Mrs. W. W. Buckhaults, Savannah, GA
My prayers are with you Pam, Mr. J and other members of your family. God Bless!
- Marcia Sherrell, Madison, TN
Pam , Bill and Family - Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. What a blessed and full life he had. And you all were blessed to have him in yours.
- Trisha and Mike Ferreira, Savannah, GA
With heartfelt sympathy for your loss,I pray for peace for all of you.
- linda varney, midway, GA
Mr. Ed, as I called him was always happy and smiling as he brought in his prize camellias to share with the ladies that worked with Bill and Pam. He would always tell us how to water them to make them last longer. While at an oyster roast, I asked him if he had had enough oysters to which he replied, 'How do you ever know when you've had enough?' You could not know Ed and Alice Johnston and not love them. I admired the love that Bill and Pam had for them and how they cared for them all of their days. I'm sure that they are dancing together in heaven where there is only joy. My prayers are with the family, who I love.
- Tina Gaskin, Midway, GA
Dear Pam and family, I was so sorry to learn of your loss. I just received a note from old-time Savannah family friend Ed Swann who included your dad's obituary. What a great person he was. I know you miss him and your mother greatly. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Karen and Al
- Karen Johnson, Raleigh, NC
Dear Pam & family: I have just returned from a trip so I am just now learning of your dad's passing. He was a wonderful, generous man and he will be sadly missed. Know that you & your family are in our thoughts & prayers. Peace be with you, Chubby & Carol Russell
- carol russell, , GA
Bill, Kathie & Pam - I just heard of Mr. Ed's and Miss Alice's passing. I'm so sorry. They were both such wonderful people. Please know I have you all in my prayers. Fondly, Carlotta
- Carlotta Carr, Dunwoody, GA
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
- Rev. Valentine Vit, , NJ
What a great guy - always had a smile and something friendly to say. We're sure he will be missed.
- Bill & Kathy Flammer, Savannah, GA
Although I did not have the privilege of meeting Mr. Ed Johnston his daughter Pam told me that her parents had been married more than half a centutry. I cried for days but I can stop now because the love story continues..he's home now.
- Gina Dillon, Lawrenceville, GA
My condolences go out to the Johnston Family. I pray that God keep his long arm of protection around your family in the mist of this storm. God put no more on us then we can bear.Peace be with you always. Shandra P.Johnson Property Manager Wyndham Pointe Apartments
- Shandra Johnson, Columbia, SC
I was so sorry to read of your Dad's passing this morning. He was a worderful guy and a pleasure and honor to have known. I was just talking about him and his golf group a month ago, and how much they enjoyed playing at the Golf Club well into their 90's, even though they had to avoid the traps. I know that he and your mom had a great life together, and it was a privledge to have known both of them. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
- Mike Kistler, Savannah, GA
Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal' My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this trying time. 'Cast all of your care on Him, for He cares for you' -Annette Jones Bellewood Park Apartments
- Annette Jones, Nashville, TN
Bill and Family, Please accept my sincerest condolences.
- Jay Hall, Savannah, GA
We shared many good times with Ed and Alice.They will not be forgotten.Love and prayers for Pam, Bill and Kathie.
- Dr. and Mrs. W. W. Buckhaults, Savannah, GA
My prayers are with you Pam, Mr. J and other members of your family. God Bless!
- Marcia Sherrell, Madison, TN
Pam , Bill and Family - Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. What a blessed and full life he had. And you all were blessed to have him in yours.
- Trisha and Mike Ferreira, Savannah, GA
With heartfelt sympathy for your loss,I pray for peace for all of you.
- linda varney, midway, GA
Mr. Ed, as I called him was always happy and smiling as he brought in his prize camellias to share with the ladies that worked with Bill and Pam. He would always tell us how to water them to make them last longer. While at an oyster roast, I asked him if he had had enough oysters to which he replied, 'How do you ever know when you've had enough?' You could not know Ed and Alice Johnston and not love them. I admired the love that Bill and Pam had for them and how they cared for them all of their days. I'm sure that they are dancing together in heaven where there is only joy. My prayers are with the family, who I love.
- Tina Gaskin, Midway, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
