Michael Ralph Johnston

Mike was born on December 24, 1946 (he was brought home from the hospital in a Christmas stocking), to parents Ralph and Hazel Johnston in Montgomery, AL. He was raised in Clanton, AL. Mike was an active member of the 1965 graduating class of Chilton County High School. He was a member of the Concert and Jazz Bands (saxophone), football team, and statistician for the basketball and baseball teams. Mike was an Eagle Scout, a member of the Order of the Arrow, held various troop leadership positions (Troup 57), and was a counselor at Camp Tukabatchee. During his summers, he was a lifeguard at the Clanton City Pool.

Mike continued his education at The University of Alabama, graduating in 1969 with a Business Administration and Statistics degree. He played nose guard on the scout team under the legendary Bear Bryant and was an active Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity member. Mike was a loyal and passionate Alabama football fan and an active alum donor to the University's Culverhouse College of Business throughout his life. He passed that love onto his daughters, who graduated from the University of Alabama in the 2000s.

In the 1970s, Mike moved to Atlanta, GA, to pursue his career in insurance. That move would lead him to meet his wife, Linda, while both working at AIG. They were married in 1977 and raised their two daughters in Marietta, GA. Mike and Linda relocated to Santa Rosa Beach, FL, in 2002. He split his time between Santa Rosa Beach and Birmingham, AL., until his retirement.

Mike held various positions within the insurance industry, spanning nearly five decades. In 2002, Mike joined CRC Insurance Services, Inc., a Wholesale and Specialty insurance broker headquartered in Birmingham, AL, in charge of Insurance Carrier Relations. With a diverse career, he brought his varied experience in retail, underwriting, and brokerage operations to his CRC role. Mike was known for his unique insight and problem-solving ability, covering the multiple complex issues faced by a company operating numerous offices across the country. He retired in 2017, at the age of 70, as Executive Vice President with the Senior Management Team. Mike was a member of numerous insurance-related organizations and developed many close friends in the industry he loved.

Mike was a dedicated husband, married to his wife Linda for 44 years until her passing in 2018. He was a loving and protective father, either in the stands or coaching the many softball and basketball teams his girls played for over the years. One of the greatest joys of his life was his daughter Susan giving birth to his granddaughter, Linda Lily, in July of 2021. Mike loved to show anyone and everyone pictures of her.

Upon the death of his daughter Laura, he became the full-time caregiver of her two Labradoodles, Gracie Lee and Samantha, which brought him so much joy and companionship in his final months.

Mike was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Lee Johnston; his daughter, Laura Elizabeth Johnston; his daughter Heather Johnston and his parents, Ralph and Hazel Johnston.

He is survived by his daughter, Susan Michelle Johnston (Dan Juliano & step-granddaughter, Brindle Juliano) of Mars, PA., his granddaughter, Linda Lily Juliano, his brother James Kendall (Rose Anne) Johnston of Richmond, KY, and numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces, and a nephew.

We will remember Mike for his love of Alabama football, travel, golf, good food, great wine (if he was throwing a party, everyone was attending), and, most importantly, his loyal and unwavering friendships. His physical presence was larger than life, but he was a quiet and gentle man. He was always there for his loved ones to lend an ear and give advice and wasn't afraid to give it to you straight.

Roll Tide, Mike. Your many friends and family will miss you dearly.

A memorial service and celebration of life will take place on Sunday, October 15, 2023 from 2:30pm-5pm @ at the Vue on 30A restaurant in Santa Rosa Beach FL.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Mike's name to any charity you choose.