Ronald Alfred Johnston, 81 of Zebulon, NC, formerly of Fayetteville, passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Wake Medical Center.

Ron was born December 15, 1943, to Russell Courtland and Lois Marion Mercer Johnston.  Ron graduated from Princeton High School in Princeton, WV and from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education.  He received his Master of Science degree in Geology from the University of Houston.  He earned his Ph. D from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  From 1976 to1984, he worked at the National Ranching Heritage Center at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX.  From 1984 until his retirement, Ron served at Fayetteville State University as Professor and Planetarium Director.

In his younger days, Ron was a member of a Barbershop Quartet and loved to sing. He was a member of Campground United Methodist Church where he loved singing in the choir and with The Kingsmen men's group.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Catherine Johnston and his siblings, Donald Ray Johnston and Fairy Buskirk.

He is survived by children, Amy Kendrick (Ray); Wesley Johnston (Crystal); Sarah Strickland (Allen); sister, Nina Snapp; brothers, Frankie Johnston and Russell Courtland Johnston, Jr; 7 grandchildren, Thomas James Kendrick, Julia Marie Kendrick (Sydney), Emma Grace Johnston, Lillian Rose Johnston, Nathan Garrett Strickland, Elizabeth Camille Strickland and Davis Allen Strickland; and his fur baby, Nugget.

The family will receive friends on Friday, March 7, 2025, from 6 to 8 pm at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 10 am at Campground United Methodist Church.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Campground UMC Choir Fund.

Services provided by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301

Online condolences may be sent to http://www.jerniganwarren.com

Camp Ground United Methodist Church
4625 Campground Rd., Fayetteville NC 28314
Tel: 1-910-867-9436
Web: http://www.campgroundchurch.com