Ralph David Johnston, 74, of Dublin, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at Pulaski Hospital after seven months of illness.
He was born on Jan. 3, 1950, in Princeton, West Virginia. Ralph was a resident of Dublin for the past 47 years. Ralph was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Johnston; his mother and stepfather, Myrtle and Louie Mullens; and his granddaughter, Olivia Grace Covey.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Patricia “Pat” Johnston; daughters, Jennifer Johnston, Cheryl Morales (Michael), and Rhonda Nottingham (Antonio); grandchildren, Amanda Covey, Cara Ann Covey, Christopher (Breanna) Covey, Jacob Andrew Covey, Marcus Lee Johnston, and Bryant Andrew Nottingham; great-granddaughters, Emma Grace, Sara Beth, Jade Arianna, Neveah Brooke, and Macie Grace; sister and brother-in-law, Helen Compton (Tommy); nephews, David, Jeff and Neil Compton; and many other relatives and friends.
He retired from the U.S. Navy, serving on the aircraft carrier USS America while stationed at NAS Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Florida, and as an electronic instructor on NAS in Memphis, Tennessee. Ralph finished flight ground school while he was in the Navy and obtained his commercial and instructional IFR license after relocating to Dublin. He began working at the New River Valley Airport as a manager and flight instructor until accepting a job with Xerox Corporation where he retired after 32 years.
Ralph and Pat loved traveling and had visited 47 states and Canada.
Ralph’s first pride and joy was watching his grandchildren play sports and he never missed a game until he became sick. He was so looking forward to watching his grandson, Bryant, play football.
We would like to thank the staff at Highland Ridge Rehab, Pulaski Community Hospital, Carilion New River Valley Medical Center, and Lewis Gale Hospital in Salem for all of the wonderful doctors and nurses we have come in contact with.
The family will receive friends 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. with Mike Hudson officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin.
The Johnston family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home in Radford.
