Obituary of Milton Johnston

Milton Raynor Johnston September 15, 1929 ---- March 15, 2012 Milton Raynor Johnston passed away March 15th, 2012, surrounded by family after living a life rich and full in friends and experiences; his was a "larger than life" life. Milt was born September 15th, 1929, in Ontario, OR. He was raised in Boise, Id, Santa Rosa, CA, and then back to his dads ranch in the Owyhees, after a stint in the Army. It was there he met the love of his life, Maxine. After a whirlwind, six month romance, they married on July 1, 1951. Milt and Maxine lived in Blackfoot, ID, for a year. It was here they enjoyed the addition of their first baby boy, Guy Milton. In 1951, Milt starting working for Idaho Power on a mobile construction crew. They moved back to Boise in January of 1953, and their first daughter, Brenda was born later that year. Milt worked mobile construction all through his career with Idaho Power. He advanced fast, could build anything, and in 1963 was the youngest working foreman. Milt and Maxine completed their family with twin boys, Blaine and Brett, and a daughter, Christine. They moved around Boise until buying their dream, a little place "up on the hill" in 1966. They moved on his birthday and never looked back! Milt enjoyed spending time with his kids. From 1968 through 1971, Milt was a Boy Scout troop leader. He took Boy Scout Troop 39 to the Boy Scout National Jamboree at Farragut State Park. With five kids, a big garden, cows, chickens and two full time jobs, they still made time for their true passions…fishing and camping. The family went on great vacations every year. They would load their Suburban and 26 foot camp trailer with groceries and off they would go, traveling up and down the West Coast, fishing, crabbing', and visiting family. Milt retired from Idaho Power in 1986 as Superintendent of Mobile Construction. Milt and Maxine loved to travel. After retirement they made two trips to Alaska, went on a couple of cruises, and many shorter adventures with the Shriners. During retirement, Milt became very active in the El Korah Shrine, the Masonic Oriental Lodge #60 AF & AM, and the York Right Bodies. They developed great friendships and had many traveling adventures as part of the Shriners. However, their favorite place to be was always Hells Canyon. From the 1950's when Brownlee Dam was just being constructed to last summer's family camping trip, it is truly where they loved to be. Milt loved his family. He saw God in the sunset over the city view from the front porch of their house; in a fish at the end of the line; in elk roaming in his front yard; and in his Grandkids and Great Grandkids faces. He was the best Husband, Father, Grandpa and Grandpa-Great a family could ask for and will be missed every day. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and a sister; as well as two great-grandsons Reece and Hayes, who are playing with their grandpa-great on a lake in Heaven. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Maxine. His children Guy (Linda) Johnston, Brenda Blickenstaff, Blaine (Roberta) Johnston, Brett (Vicki) Johnston, Chris (Harvey) Braun; 14 Grandchildren and 17 Great-Grandchildren; two sisters and two brothers. The family would like to thank the staff at Complex Care Hospital and Dr. Byrns. Services will be at Monday March 19 at 2pm at Summers Funeral Home, Downtown. Celebration of life follow services at the El Korah Shrine Temple. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Shriners' Children's Hospital. Charitable donations may be made in Milton's memory to the following organization: Shriners Hospital for Children http://www.shrinershq.org 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114 Tel: 617 722 3000