[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29620]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   IN REMEMBRANCE OF GORDON JOHNSTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 9, 1999

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a community 
leader from Longview, TX, the late Gordon Clayton Johnston, Sr., who 
gave generously of his time and energies to a variety of worthy 
community causes prior to his death on March 17 of this year.
  Mr. Johnston was born in Norphlet, AR, on July 24, 1925, but grew up 
and lived a majority of his life in Longview. He served in the U.S. 
Navy in the Pacific Theater and returned to Longview to marry Mildred 
McHaney in June 1946. He then attended Kilgore Junior College, serving 
as drum major for the Ranger Band, and following graduation entered the 
School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.
  Upon his return to Longview, he entered the oil business with his 
father, the late E.C. Johnston, Sr. He was a charter member of the 
First State Bank of Longview Founding Board (presently Longview Bank & 
Trust) and retired at the end of 1991 after 33 years of service. He 
also was a charter member of the Longview Savings and Loan Board, which 
he served for 19 years.
  Throughout his life he was active in community service. He was a 
charter member of the founding board of the Longview YMCA and served 
continuously for more than 20 years, including two terms as president. 
He was an officer of the Longview Chamber of Commerce and Junior 
Chamber of Commerce. He was a community advisor for the Junior Service 
League (now Junior League of Longview) and served on the United Way 
Budget Committee. He was a longtime member of Pinecrest Country Club, 
charter member of the board of the Summit Club and a member of the 
Cherokee Club.
  Mr. Johnston also was devoted to the First Christian Church, where he 
had been a member since 1946. He served as a deacon and an elder for a 
number of years and in 1987, along with his wife, Mildred, he received 
the honor of being named elder emeritus. He served for many years on 
the church's board and served as chairman for 2 years.
  An outdoorsman by nature, he was an ardent supporter of fish and game 
conservation in Texas, Colorado, and Alabama. He enjoyed ranching, 
raised and showed Appaloosa horses, and was a member of several hunt 
clubs.
  He is survived by his wife, Mildred; children, Kathy Jackson, Gordon 
Clayton Johnston, Jr., Mark Johnston, Elaine Kauffman, Beth Ylitalo, 
and Kent McHaney Johnston; 16 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, 
and his brother, E.C. Johnston, Jr., of Longview.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Johnston is missed by his many friends and his 
family, but his memory will live on through the legacy that he leaves 
to his community, his church, and his family. It is an honor to pay my 
last respects to Gordon Clayton Johnston, Sr.

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