Charles James Johnston

Charles James Johnston (“Jim”) of Catonsville, MD, passed away on May 13, 2024 after enduring Multiple Sclerosis for over 40 years. 

Jim was born in Indiana County, PA in 1940 to Charles Blair Johnston and Margaret Olive Johnston (nee John). 

After graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Jim moved to Baltimore to begin his career at Arbutus Middle School as a Social Studies teacher. He was a funny and kind teacher and enjoyed working with his students and fellow teachers. 

Jim is survived by his wife Mary (nee Nemergut), the love of his life, whom he met when he was 22 and she was 18. They married in 1963. 

Some of Jim’s favorite pastimes were  playing softball, poker, driving his motorcycle, cheering for the Ravens and Orioles, and telling funny stories and jokes. To anyone who laughed, he would follow with “Feel free to overuse it as I have.” 

Jim loved his family and friends very much. He is predeceased by his sister Pat Davis and her husband Ray Davis Jr., and survived by his brother Dave Johnston, his wife Peg, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

Jim is also survived by three daughters and their partners: Shari Allen and her husband Chris of Millersville; Kathy Johnston and Jeff Kirker of Ellicott City; and Julie Maguire and her husband Mike of Catonsville. He was the loving grandfather of Lizzie, Sarah, Nic, Brian, Grace, Jamie, Nick, Katie, Stephanie, Taylor, and great-granddaughters, Molly and Lane.

A memorial gathering will be held May 23, 2024, from 4 - 6pm at Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home with a prayer service beginning at 5:00 pm.   Mr. Johnston’s family invites you to join them at Kathy Johnston’s home immediately afterward for food and refreshments.