Obituary: Johnstone, Tony “Tj”
Age 94
His family moved to Belgium when he was quite young; and this is where he spent most of his childhood.
After a formal education at Mount St. Mary’s College, Derbyshire, he joined the British-American Tobacco Company in their Printing Division.
He was working in Antwerp Belgium, when the Lowlands were invaded.
He joined the Royal Air Force and came to Arkansas for pilot training.
He received his wings in 1942 as a Sergeant Pilot, and was later promoted to Flight Sergeant and Warrant Officer Pilot.
He volunteered for service in India so that he might be near his brother, Joseph (later killed), who was in the Indian Army, 3/18th Royal Garhwal Rifle Division.
TJ was declared medically unfit to fly as a result of a B-24 Liberator crash and spent the rest of his war service as a Flying Control Officer.
On returning to civilian life, he rejoined the British-American Tobacco Company and was stationed in Australia, Chile, and Brazil where he later resigned and moved to Canada.
During this time with the BAT, he married Dita Schramek (Deceased) and had a son, Christopher, currently living in Auckland, New Zealand.
This marriage ended in divorce and TJ eventually married Monica Spencer of Vina del Mar, Chile.
TJ and Monica had three sons, Peter, Ian, and Colin.
This marriage also ended in divorce after 20 years.
TJ moved to Denver, Colorado and spent many years as a Mission Pilot with the Civil Air Patrol.
He also found time to volunteer at Hospice of St. John.
After retiring from the Graphic Arts Industry, TJ worked part time at the Denver Country Club holding various positions during his 20 year association with them.
He also was a greeter for Pints Pub in Denver which he thoroughly enjoyed.
For 20 years, TJ had a common law wife, Patty Ayers who preceded him in death in March 2005.
TJ moved to Spokane in April 2005, where he lived with his son, Ian and his family.
(Ironically in the same little cottage his second wife Monica lived in until her death in 2004.)
During his time in Spokane he volunteered at the Spokane International Airport and as a Foster Grandparent through Catholic Charities at Spokane Community College Head Start program in Hillyard.
His sister, Dame Moura Lympany, died in 2005.
TJ is survived by his sons, Christopher Johnstone (Louise), Auckland New Zealand; Peter Johnstone (Meg), Tampa Florida; Ian Johnstone (Angela), Spokane Washington; and Colin Johnstone (Heather), Los Gatos, California; and his six Grandchildren: Gregory, Michael, Chancellor, Olivia, Thomas and Erik and one Great-Grandchild, Ella.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Hospice of Spokane.
Please visit TJ’s online memorial page at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com to leave a message of condolence.