James Johnston

Johnston, James, 82, of St. Petersburg died May 28th at Bayfront Medical Center. Born in the Bronx, NY. He moved to Franklin, TN in 1934. He moved to St. Petersburg from Huntsville AL in 1984. He attended Battleground Academy in TN. He served in the Army Air Corps as a P-61 pilot during WWII. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN with a degree in Engineering. He attended both MIT and Rensalaer Polytechnic Institute for graduate studies. He was retired from the US Air Force Reserve in 1974 as a Major. He began his career with the Nashville Electric Service; later worked for TVA in Chattanooga TN; and finishing his career at Redstone Arsenal, AL as an Aerospace Engineer. He applied for and received 23 patents during his tenure at Redstone Arsenal. His hobbies were many and varied, including an interest in sailing and building his sailboat ?Aegis?, Egyptology, astronomy, amateur radio WB4GQK, computers and competition ballroom dancing. During Hurricane Hugo via amateur radio, he tracked and maintained records of over 300 boats which was later used by the US Coast Guard in locating lost or damaged vessels. He enjoyed traveling, including trips as an engineering consultant to the government of China. Mr. Johnston owned and operated a small computer business known as Astronav. Survivors include his wife of 38 years Patricia Johnston of St. Petersburg; his two daughters Bettye Lee Wood, Woodland Hills, CA; and Janice Lynn Saxon of Huntsville, AL; his brother George Johnston of Dataw Island, SC; his grandsons Mike Holt; David Asby; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Anderson-McQueen Funeral & Cremation Centers ? N.E. St. Petersburg