Harry E. Johnston, age 96, of Blue Rapids, passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at the Lincoln Heart Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Harry is the son of Wayne D. and Gladys (Vinson) Johnston, born February 26, 1927 at Zurich, Kansas. In December of 1955, Harry was married to Louise Krings, she passed away in 2006.
Harry is survived by his three daughters: Kathy Johnston of Manhattan, Kim (Daryl) Benteman of Waterville and Karla (Shawn) Bryant of Beatrice, Nebraska, four grandchildren: Jacob (Kacie) Benteman, Eliza Benteman, William (Cierra) Bryant and Marinda Bryant, and two great grandchildren: Paysen and Ashton.
Preceding Harry in death were his parents, his wife, a brother Milford Johnston and a sister Vivian Logsdon.
Harry graduated from Palco High School in 1945. He enlisted in the US Navy during his senior year. He served aboard the CVE 105 aircraft carrier as a Gunners Mate 3rd Class during World War II, in the South Pacific.
After the war he attended Fort Hays University. Harry lettered four years on the Varsity Football Team as an offensive lineman and defensive end. He graduated with a BS Degree from Fort Hayes State University in 1950. Later he received his Masters in 1957, in Administrator in Education degree. After he received his Bachelors Degree he worked in the oil field and as an inspector at the Beech Craft aircraft factory in Wichita.
In 1953 he began his career in education as a teacher, and coaching football and track, at Palco High School. He went on to be the School Superintendent at Luray High School and the Principal at Cunningham High School. In 1974 he moved to Blue Rapids and became the Principal at Valley Heights High School, retiring in 1989. Harry kept busy in the summers working as a crop hail adjustor, mainly for Cimarron Insurance Company.
Harry was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. and American Legion, he was also a member of the KNEA, NEA, the Kansas and National Association of High School Principals, and for twelve years he served on the Kansas High School Athletics Association Board.
Viewing is from noon to 8:00 pm, Sunday, December 10, 2023, at Christie-Anderes Funeral Home in Waterville.
Graveside services and burial will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, December 11, 2023, at Fairmont Cemetery in Blue Rapids, with Alice King and Jerry Zayas co-officiating. Pre-recorded music is to include: “Green Green Grass of Home”, “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain”, “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere” and "Wind Beneath My Wings". Casket Bearers are Marinda Bryant, William Bryant, Cierra Bryant, Eliza Benteman, Jacob Benteman and Kacie Benteman.
Military Honors will be provided by an Honors Detail from the US Navy and George Bedford Post 169 of the American Legion in Blue Rapids.
Memorials are suggested to the Harry Johnston Memorial and may be sent in care of Christie-Anderes Funeral Home at PO Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.