Clair Johnston, 90

Clair Johnston, 90, of Columbia Falls, passed away Aug. 22, 2016, at his home.

He was born Oct. 6, 1925, in Kalispell to Jack and Sadie Radabah Johnston.

After finishing grade school at the local country school, he enrolled in Flathead County High School. Upon finding that high school wasn’t for him, he quit school and went to work for his dad in a sawmill. This became his calling for his life’s career, and he worked up to being a mill owner.

The only thing that kept him out of the woods was when he served in the Marine Corp during WWII. He was injured on Okinawa and received the Purple Heart. After his discharge, he returned to the Flathead Valley and continued his mill work.

He loved his life, trekking over the mountains and valleys that surrounded his home, sawing logs, and hunting that big bull.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline; his parents, Jack and Sadie; five brothers; a sister; a stepson, Ron Herbhersman; and a granddaughter.

He is survived by a stepdaughter, Norma Gregory; a step daughter-in-law, Debbi Herbhersman; seven grandchildren and their spouses; fourteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and several nephews and nieces.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sept. 17th at Fairview Chapel.

Columbia Mortuary is caring for the Johnston family.