JAMES RUSSELL JOHNSTON, SR.

Macedon: Most recently of Fairport, NY, James Russell ("Jim") Johnston, Sr. passed away peacefully on February 22, 2016 following a lengthy illness at age 83. He was born on May 27, 1932 in Lakemont, Altoona, PA, son of Cameron Ross and Helen Catherine Johnston.

Jim was known as having a zest for life which began when he was a boy growing up in Hollidaysburg, PA where he developed a lifelong love of the outdoors. He was an avid hunter, archer and fisherman. He was very proud of his sporting equipment and was always quick with advice or a good story about "the one that got away." He was a Boy Scout—earning his Eagle rank in 1949. He played the clarinet in the Hollidaysburg Junior and Senior High School bands. He also played the Hawaiian guitar.

Jim served as a Corporal in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and participated in an "Honor Flight" trip to Washington, DC in 2014. He married Clara Evadene ("Denie") Grannas on June 16, 1956 in Hollidaysburg, PA. The couple moved to Macedon in 1961 where Jim worked for Stroehmann Bread Company until 1994.

Jim was active in the community. He was Cubmaster of Pack 166, Macedon; then Scoutmaster of Troop 167, Macedon; Committee Chairman of Troop 167; and Sponsoring Institution Representative for Pack 167, Post 166 and Troop 661 of the Macedon Center United Methodist Church. He retired from the Boy Scouts of America in 2000 after forty years' service. He coached Little League and Youth Baseball. He served on the Macedon Parks & Recreation Commission. He was named "Macedon Citizen of the Year" in 1979 acknowledging his service to both the Boy Scouts and the Macedon Center United Methodist Church. He was a charter member of the Macedon Trails Committee and worked tirelessly building and maintaining hiking trails throughout the area. Jim was a skilled woodworker and enjoyed spending time in his workshop.

He is survived by Clara ("Denie") G. Johnston, his wife of 59 years; four children: Deborah S. Rawdon (Andrew) of Fairport, James R. Johnston, Jr. (Nancy) of Walworth, David R. Johnston (Jennifer) of Irondequoit, and C. Paul Johnston (Tracey) of Irondequoit; 6 grandchildren (Benjamin S. and Samuel B. Rawdon, James R. Johnston, III, Rachel A. Kohl (Patrick), Noah W. Johnston, Clay G. Johnston and 1 great-grandchild (Sadie L. Kohl); his brother, Cameron R. ("Bud") Johnston of Arkansas; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may join the family for calling hours on Friday, March 4, 2016 at the Murphy Funeral and Cremation Chapels, 1040 Route 31, Macedon, NY from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Macedon Center United Methodist Church, 1160 Macedon Center Road, Macedon, NY.  A reception will follow at a place to be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Macedon Center United Methodist Church, 1160 Macedon Center Road, Macedon, NY  14502; or the Hildebrandt Hospice Center, 2652 Ridgeway Avenue, Rochester, NY, in memory of James R. Johnston, Sr.  To leave the family an online condolence, please visit www.murphyfuneralservices.com.