JOHNSTON, Leonard Claire

The Verde Independent, Cottonwood, Arizona Thursday, March 05, 2015 Leonard Claire Johnston passed peacefully away on March 2 after his recent 97th birthday. Leonard was a well-respected man, fair in his deliberations and loving with his family. Born in Twin Falls, Idaho, Leonard Johnston became an Entomologist and moved to Los Angeles where he initiated a successful program to eradicate fruit flies and was subsequently appointed the Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture. After retiring from the County, Leonard and his wife Betty relocated to the Village of Oak Creek, Arizona in the 1970s, where he became an active community member and served as the President of the Oak Creek Men's Club, associated with the Oak Creek Country Club. An avid golfer, Leonard played up into his late 80s. Leonard also became skilled in Native American art, and helped start a business with his wife trading Native American artifacts. In addition, he was an active member of several community organizations, focusing his efforts on creating policies that defined and shaped growth in his beloved community of Oak Creek. The red rocks and dramatic mesas were always home to him. He is survived by his wife Betty, and four children: Kathy Stubbe, Chris Griscom, Michael Davitt and Terry Hagan, and a continuing legacy of four generations. Information provided by survivors.