Dr. James R. Johnston

Dr. James Renfrew Johnston, III passed away on March 19, 2012. Born March 24, 1923 in Pittsburgh, Jim, as he was best known, was the son of Lorene and Dr. James R. Johnston, Jr.

Jim attended Haverford College and graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1947. Later that year he met fellow resident, Marion Northup, at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh. They were married in 1949. Jim continued his medical training in surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia for four years.

Jim served in the Navy in WWII between 1943-1947, and as a physician in the Army at Fort Dix, NJ during the 1950’s. He practiced general surgery in Sewickley, PA for ten years before coming to Carlisle in 1965. He served on the staff of Carlisle Hospital and as chairman of the Department of Surgery for over ten years. He was on the Disaster Preparedness committee for Carlisle Hospital and involved with the civil defense preparedness for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. It was a great joy to him to serve as a mentor and recruiter for new doctors coming to the community. He was one of the founding partners of the Belvedere Medical Center surgical group. For a short time he worked at Dunham Army Health Clinic at the Carlisle War College. He was much loved by his many patients and respected by his peers.

He participated in many community activities, never hesitating to take a leadership role. He was very active in Second Presbyterian Church for 47 years including serving as an Elder, participating on the new church Building Committee, initiating a memorial garden, and an avid supporter of the music program. He served as a volunteer for Samaritan Fellowship and delivered Meals on Wheels. He was enthusiastic about the renovation of the Carlisle Theatre where he served on the Board of Directors.

Jim was always a care-giver, at home, in his community, and around the world.
Jim and Marion received the Molly Pitcher Citizens of the Year Award in 1994. They served as medical missionaries in Guatemala and Cameroon. In the six trips to these underserved populations they alleviated the suffering of many. He believed and taught this motto: “always leave the world a better place than you found it.”

Jim thoroughly enjoyed life and had great enthusiasm for many activities. He was a member of a weekly tennis group for over thirty years. He and Marion loved to play bridge and were active in two bridge groups. He played the piano, organ, and flute and was in an orchestra. Jim loved astronomy, photography, traveling, canoeing, camping, and woodworking. He made beautiful grandfather clocks and built many decks. The family continues to enjoy the furniture he built. He was an Eagle Scout and remained an active supporter of scouting throughout his life serving as a leader at an Explorer Post. He took his family of five kids camping in tents across the country twice, and enjoyed annual family reunions at Capon Springs, West Va. He and Marion enjoyed traveling internationally and domestically, and joined at least thirty Elder Hostel trips. Every year at Christmas time Belvedere St. twinkled with lights as Jim used a cherry picker to decorate a 40 foot tall Christmas tree in the front yard for the community to enjoy.

Jim never missed an opportunity to tell a joke. He was upbeat and friendly. He generously gave of himself sharing his time and talents for everyone. He brightened up whenever his wife walked into a room. As a father he was actively involved with the lives of his kids and grandkids. As a grandfather he took time to make each child feel special, often teaching them jokes and treating them to Massey’s ice cream.

Jim will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 62 years, Marion Northup Johnston, and his children: Jennifer McKenna and her husband Kevin; Gail Viscome and her husband, Nick; Ann Renfrew Johnston and her husband, Paul; David Johnston; Lucy Johnston-Walsh and her husband, Bill. He also will be missed by eleven wonderful grandchildren: Sarah Rose Creedon and husband Reid; Laura, Curt and Julia Viscome; John Renfrew and Katy Cummings; Martin and Emily Sasso; Reilly, Andrew, and Aidan Johnston-Walsh. He is preceded in death by his sister Suzanne Huff of Pittsburgh and is survived by his brother Hugh Johnston of Princeton, New Jersey.

His service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday March, 24 2012 at the Second Presbyterian Church, 528 Garland Drive, Carlisle, PA 17013. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, please send any memorial contributions to Second Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden Fund or Project Share: 5 N. Orange St., Carlisle, PA 17013.
Hoffman-Roth Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 219 North Hanover Street, Carlisle is in charge of the funeral arrangements.