Christopher Blair Johnston

Age 85, went home to be with the Lord on December 2, 2022.  He was born June 23, 1937 in East Cleveland, Ohio to Irene (Jaces) Johnston and Fedro Blair.

Christopher was a proud and decorated veteran of the United States Navy, serving his country honorably during the Vietnam War. While serving in the U.S. Navy he was a member of the elite UDT-SEALS. He was also a recipient of the Purple Heart. Christopher was humble and proudly flew the flag at his home. Following his military service, he went on to a career in engineering. First, as a contract engineer for General Motors, then most recently as an engineer for the City of Lansing. During his time with the City of Lansing he was a Teamsters union steward. Christopher was an active member of St. Martha Parish in Okemos and achieved the rank of a fourth degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus. Christopher loved the History channel and documentaries about WWII and the Navy. He had a love for Corvettes and was active in both Corvette restoration clubs and Corvette preservation, passing along this love to his daughter. He also enjoyed cooking and grilling. Christopher loved sports and was a big fan of MSU, the Detroit Lions, and the Cleveland Browns. He was a participant in sports as well, with a love for golf, biking, swimming, and running. And in the 1980’s and 1990’s Christopher competed in both triathlons and marathons. He was a lover of all animals, especially his two cats, Emma and Elsa and his dog, Holly.

Christopher is survived by his daughter, Jamie McGrath, and her mother, Kathryn McGrath; sons, Christopher A. (Jean-Marie) Johnston and their two children, Scott A. (Kellie) Johnston, and Billy Johnston; sisters: Sally Kurowski, and Peggy (Tim) Thomas; brother-in-law Gus Costanzo; nieces and nephews: Suzanne Nall, Jay (Lauren Rotondo) Kurowski, Scott (Amber) Kurowski, Vicki (Bill) Lawrence and Kim (Dave) Boyes; as well as numerous great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather Irene and Fred Johnston; his father Fedro Blair; sister Beverly Costanzo; and brother-in-law Dennis Kurowski.

A funeral Mass for Christopher Blair Johnston will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 17, 2022 at St. Martha Parish, 1100 West Grand River Ave., Okemos, Michigan 48864. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to mass at 10:00 am at St. Martha Parish. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Martha Parish, Capital Area Humane Society, The Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, or a veteran’s organization of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.