Julius Percel Johnston III
Julius Johnston died as a result of a drowning accident on Tuesday, June 16 while he and his wife Suzi were vacationing with friends in Nicaragua. As best friends, this devoted couple loved to travel and play together. They would have celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary next month.
Beginning his journey in the Bronx, Julius traveled the world as an Army brat with his father, Julius, mother, Evelyn and four siblings, Yvonne, Janice, Jeffrey and Johnny. He studied at Claremont McKenna College and The Claremont Graduate School where he received a Master’s Degree and met Susan Slade Woodworth, the love of his life. Together they raised a family of three boys: JJ (Julius IV), Peter and Andrew in Seattle, where Julius worked for the Boeing company for over 25 years. He began his professional career working in computers and retired as the Vice President of the Wing Responsibility Center, a program he continued to assist as a process consultant until his passing. Suzi and Julius have been residing in Carpinteria since 2002.
Those who knew Julius recognized his contagious love for all aspects of life. As an avid reader, an outdoor enthusiast and a connoisseur of food, wine and fun, he lived each moment to its fullest. Throughout his life, he maintained a philosophical and spiritual approach and enjoyed an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and as a natural mentor he never hesitated to share his wisdom with his friends and family, whether they were ready for it or not. If each person’s life is a thread in the vast tapestry of mankind; his was an exceptionally strong and binding one. The force of his personality and joy touched the lives of an uncountable number of others and helped bind us together into a coherent whole. Though he is gone, the pattern he helped weave endures and will continue to positively affect us all.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 27 at 2 p.m. in the Cate School Chapel. In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to donate to: Julius Johnston Memorial Scholarship Fund at either Wilderness Youth Project, (805) 964-8096, or Cate School, (805) 684-4127.