Phillip W. Johnston

PHILLIP W. JOHNSTON Phillip William Johnston was born, October 8, 1946 to Lewis E. Johnston and Harriet A. (Steen) Johnston in Grafton, ND.   He passed away May 22, 2018 after a long battle with lung cancer at the age of 71.  Phillip went to school in Forest River until 1962 when Midway opened; he graduated from Midway High School in 1964 and joined the Navy in 1966.  Phillip qualified in Submarines while aboard the USS Henry L. Stimson, SSB(N) 655 with the Gold Crew and served with this crew until his Honorable Discharge from the United States Navy in 1970.   He was a life member of the American Legion, The United States Submarine Veterans Association, and a Patron Member of the National Rifle Association.  Phillip married Cindy Nelson—the love of his life—on June 15th, 1968.  Phillip and Cindy finished their education at the University of North Dakota together and moved out to the farm near Forest River shortly after their graduation, in 1972.   Both were always proud to say “Go Sioux!” Phillip served on the Midway School Board for 5 years and on the Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association for 9 years.  He farmed near Forest River and became a nationally recognized writer and author.  He truly loved hunting and fishing and when it was too windy to fish on the Lake of the Woods, he and Cindy struggled with golf later in life.  Phillip always said that golf was the most exciting game that he’d ever played because he never knew where or how far the ball would go if he hit it at all.     Phillip is survived by his wife and best friend Cindy, son Army Lieutenant Colonel Paul D. Johnston, Retired, and daughter Dr. Victoria J. Gelling (Jason) and four grandchildren: William and Madeline Gelling, and Marah and Liam Johnston. Phillip wants to thank everyone who worked so hard to keep him alive.  The care and love that he felt in the Altru Cancer Center every visit made it feel like coming home.  Thank all of you so very much.  Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon followed by military honors at 12:00 noon on Friday, May 25, 2018 at Amundson Funeral Home of Grand Forks. Burial will be in the Forest River Cemetery.