Paul Micah Johnston, 49, of Port Orange, Florida died November 14, 2013 at the Halifax Health Hospice of Volusia/Flagler facility, after a long hard battle with metastatic colon cancer.
Paul was born March 17, 1964 in Raton, New Mexico, as the second son of Wallace E. and Romana Hoge Johnston. His parents had relocated to this small mountain community in early 1960 from San Bernardino, California to serve as Christian Ministers of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Paul enjoyed life in Raton. As young boys, he and his older brother Mark ran a paper route together for what was the Raton Daily Range. Paul grew to love the things his parents taught him about the bible and joined his parents in talking to others from door-to-door about the promises of God’s Kingdom to rid the earth of suffering and to bring peace to mankind. At the local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses he began reading the bible aloud and giving short bible discourses as assigned. Paul loved music and learned to play the piano to everyone’s delight.
He graduated from Raton High School in 1982 and began working full-time as store clerk and bookkeeper for Craftsman Glass Co. He also volunteered as a fire-fighter and EMT with the local department from approximately 1985-1992.
In 1991 he met Jael Ann Culley and her parents who, subsequently, moved to Raton. After spending time together they formed a beautiful friendship and deep love for each other and were married June 6, 1992. They continued to live in Raton and later purchased Craftsman Glass Co. where they worked together until hard financial circumstances led them to take an opportunity to manage OceanQuest Condominium in Ponce Inlet, Florida for 4 years from 2003- 2007. In 2007 Paul began a new career as a full-time minister of Jehovah’s Witnesses which he enjoyed very much however, it was in 2007 that cancer almost caused Paul’s death, but he was able to recover after treatment. Still recovering from his ordeal Paul and Jael returned to Raton in 2008 to help care for Jael’s aged uncle, Elbert Culley of Wagonmound, New Mexico until his death. Needing to provide for themselves, they opened Craftsman Glass and Paint which was a difficult task during a national economic crisis. Slowly, Paul’s Illness began to gain ground on him again causing him to be unable to care for the heavy responsibility. They moved back to Port Orange, Florida in 2012.
While Paul certainly was always busy with secular work, he deeply enjoyed the more important works that included teaching others about the bible, serving as an elder in the local congregation and volunteering in the construction of new Kingdom Halls. Paul went every weekend for months after the 2004 hurricane season to assist in re-roofing homes damaged by the storms in the Volusia and Flagler county area. He also accompanied some “first response” teams into areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi.
Paul was loved by those who knew that his pure heart was devoted to helping others. He employed many persons that had fallen on hard times and tried to see the best in everyone. More importantly, he spent much time listening to and comforting those with emotional and spiritual needs. He was a gentle soul that touched young and old alike. He was considerate and loving; a quality that made him “magnetic” to animals. He had a deep appreciation for the beauty of the natural world created by Jehovah God. He was also full of humor and loved a good joke. His fast wit and intelligence will certainly be missed.
Paul is survived by his wife Jael Ann Johnston of Port Orange, FL, Brother Mark Joel Johnston and wife Valerie Volpe-Johnston of Longmont, CO, Uncle Reinhold Hoge and wife Rose of Litchfield, CA, Aunt Donna Hoge of San Bernardino, CA, Uncle Arnold Hoge and wife Jane of Carlsbad, CA, Numerous Cousins he loved very much, and His In-Laws, Horace Culley and wife Sybil of Daytona Beach, Florida.
Paul is preceded in death by his parents Wallace and Romana Johnston of Raton, New Mexico and Uncle Fred Hoge of San Bernardino, CA.
Memorial Services for Paul will be a video-simulcast from the Port Orange Florida Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses to the Raton Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Sunday November 24th, 2013 at 3:00 pm MST. Local Elder Tom Weller of Daytona Beach, FL will be officiating. Paul’s ashes will be privately scattered in the Atlantic Ocean that he so loved. Memorial donations should be mailed to Jael Johnston P O Box 291146, Port Orange, FL 32129.
Thank you to all who have been such a loving support already during our difficult time.
Paul will be missed till we see him again in the resurrection by Jesus Christ.
