Individual Details

Death

Orvel McSwain Johnston, 91, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, August 13, 2005. Orvel was born in Pima, Arizona, on March 28, 1914 to Hiram Gaines Johnston, Jr., and Willa Belle Cunningham. He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Furr on May 2, 1941. Orvel attended Mesa High School, Arizona State Teachers College and Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. He was an auditor for the State of Arizona and compiled and published the 1941 Arizona financial report. He served in WWII as a Naval Air Supply Officer. He was an accomplished business executive. He is the last surviving pioneer of the evaporative air cooler industry in the United States. He was a pioneer in marketing evaporative coolers in the Middle East. He founded Dial Manufacturing Inc., an evaporative cooler parts manufacturer. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many teaching and leadership positions. He loved to play golf with his favorite foursome. He loved to travel. He was a gifted leader and an example to everyone who knew him. He was very generous and giving to those in need. He was most happy around his children, grandchildren and friends. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary Furr Johnston, his children Jay Johnston (Careen), Duane Johnston (Pamela), Jana Parker Lee (John) and Reed Johnston (Shirley), 19 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Friends may call from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday at Hansen Chapel, 8314 North 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bethany Home Ward, 8710 North 3rd Avenue, Phoenix, 85021. Internment and graveside services will follow at Green Acres Cemetery, 401 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, 85257. Arrangements by Hansen Mortuary. Donations may be made, in lieu of flowers, to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in memory of Orvel Johnston through Bishop Ron Rebich, 2414 West Orchid Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85021.
Published by The Arizona Republic from Aug. 17 to Aug. 18, 2005