James Elwyn Johnston, 77, formerly of Huntsville, died November 20, 2014 at his home in Athens, Alabama. The funeral service celebrating the life of Mr. Johnston will be on Sunday, November 23, 2014 in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church in Huntsville. The Reverend Mark Seanor, the Reverend Jud Reasons, and the Reverend Dr. Kenny Baskins will officiate. The family will receive friends and guest prior to the service from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. The service will follow at 2:00 p.m. A second service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, Bunkie, Louisiana on Tuesday, November 25, 2014. Friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Bunkie, LA. The Reverend Dr. James Heath and the Reverend Charles Floyd will officiate. Interment will be in the Stagg Plot of the Pythian Cemetery in Bunkie.

James Elwyn Johnston was called to the Life Eternal after a long illness caused from a stroke. He faced death several times with double pneumonia at age three, major ear surgery twice, spinal meningitis, a complete knee replacement, and the removable of a kidney. He was a very strong man and he knew how to fight for his life.

Mr. Johnston was born in Grayson, Louisiana on March 31, 1937. He was the first child born to Lonnie Jefferson Johnston and Jewell Evie May Johnston.

James Johnston was a proud native of Louisiana. After skipping two grades in elementary school, he graduated from Sulphur High School at the top of his class at age 16. He received his B.S. Degree in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (now Louisiana Tech University), Ruston. Mr. Johnston also attended McNeese State University, Lake Charles. He earned a Masters in Business Administration and then a Master of Science in Metallurgy from The Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia. He did additional college work at The University of Alabama in Huntsville. While a student at Georgia Tech, he was awarded several patents. Some of his research at Georgia Tech was presented at the Science Fair in Paris, Frances by his professor.

He was a registered Professional Engineer in both Chemical and Metallurgical in the state of Louisiana, a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of Alabama, a member of the Institute of Materials, a Chartered Engineer, a Chartered Scientist, and a Professional Member of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining all in London, Great Britain.

He came to Huntsville, Alabama in 1959 and worked for the Army Missile Command until 1963 at which time he transferred to NASA and joined the von Braun team and was employed by the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center from February 3, 1963 until his retirement on February 1, 2005. During those 45 years, he worked in the Quality Laboratory and them primarily working in the Materials and Processes organizations. He started his career as a materials engineer supporting the Saturn Program. More recently, Mr. Johnston performed as the Materials and Processes Laboratory Lead Engineer for the Solid Rocket Motor, Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor, and Advanced Solid Rocket Motor. Mr. Johnston also was the Materials and Processes representative of the various Test Readiness Reviews. In addition, Mr. Johnston performed as the Alert Coordinator for the Materials and Processes Laboratory, and the Phase A Project material engineer.

In Mr. Johnston's faithful service for forty-five years to National Aeronautics and Space Administration and to the Government of the United States of American he was a vital link for materials excellence for the safe flight of past NASA programs such as Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and the Space Shuttle. His expertise in materials selection and control demonstrated in his performance as Laboratory Lead Engineer was vital to the success of Space Shuttle Projects. His performance as a key member of the Test Readiness Review of the Super Light Weight Tank certainly led to the initial and continued success of the first Aluminum Lithium Alloy tank. As coordinator for Material Alerts, he personally was accountable for making sure that no discrepant materials were used on Marshall Space Flight Center managed vehicle elements and payloads. Mr. Johnston's vast materials and processes experience and technical excellence was vital to the success of MSFC managed payloads in that the proper materials and processes were considered and selected 'up-front' in the design process. In those 42 years of service with NASA, Mr. Johnston provided the Space Agency as a servant totally dedicated to ensuring the safety of each Space Shuttle Flight. James Johnston received the Astronauts' Personal Achievement Award known as Silver Snoopy Award for professionalism, dedication, and outstanding support that greatly enhanced space flight safety and mission success.

Mr. Johnston was Christian gentleman and a member of the First Baptist Church of Huntsville. He left his wife and family an inheritance rich in the values of hard, honest work and a strong faith in God. James Johnston was all business. He never read a newspaper on his job. James was a student all of his life and loved to read. Book stores were his favorite pastime and he would buy books by the sack. He enjoyed teaching Sunday school, studying theology, studying history, playing tennis, playing bridge, studying the stock market, and doing research on the computer. As a 12 year old entering ninth grade, he told his speech teacher that he could not get up before the class and give his speech. She jerked that little boy up by his collar and told him that she never wanted to hear him say CAN'T again and he never did.

James Johnston was well mannered and at ease with people. He was sincere, caring, dependable, honest, trustworthy, polite and courteous. James was a child of God and obeyed God's laws. He never used profanity. As a member of First Baptist Church in Huntsville, James served as a church deacon, Sunday school teacher, Christian Training teacher, and Outreach Leader. He possessed excellent leadership qualities. He always demonstrated patriotism to his country. James believed in The American's Creed. He believed that it was his duty to his country to love it; to support its constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag; and to defend it against all enemies.

He adored his wife, Mary. James was so proud when his wife was chosen and elected as the 37th President General of the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century for a two year term.

James was preceded in death by his parents, his baby sister, Norma Lee, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Daniel Sr. and Hester Stagg.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Stagg Johnston; brother, Roy J. Johnston (Carolyn) of Houston, Texas; brother-in-law, Daniel P. Stagg, Jr. (Sheila) of Opelousas, Louisiana; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers in Alabama will be Doyce Bailey, Bill Barnes, Robert Click, Jerry Miller, Jr., Brownie Nelson, Cary Rutland, Mark Splawn, and Frank Wlodarski. Honorary pallbearers will be the Athens Hospital Ambulance Service and the City of Athens Fire and Rescue. The Louisiana pallbearers will be Patrick Hennington, Carey Mack, Alan Stagg, Dr. Daniel P. Stagg, III, M.D., John Stagg, Ricky Stagg, Carlton Townsend, and Gene Volentine.

Those wishing to honor James E. Johnston through charitable donations are invited to consider the First Baptist church Television Ministry, 600 Governors Dr., Huntsville, Al 35801, First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 978, Athens, AL 35612, or your favorite charity.

Thank you Dr. Belinda Maples, MD and Doctors Edwards, Woodall and Davidson in the Athens Primary Care Associates for your excellent care, compassion and kindness during James' lengthy illness. A great big thank you to Athens Limestone Hospital for your professional care and values you stand for in patient care. Thank you doctors, nurses and staff of the Ochsner Clinic and State of the Art Ochsner Foundation Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana for your care through the many years. Especially thank you Dr. Michael Saucier, MD, Chairman, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of Ochsner Clinic Foundation. Also I would like to thank the devoted and reliable care-givers that have taken such great care of James over the years. They were all very kind and faithful and it gave me peace of mind to know he was well cared for. Thank you Brenda Brown Atkins, Jennifer Reese, Maria Quinones, Wanda Martin, Barbara Bratcher, and Earnestine Williams.

Laughlin Service Funeral Home in Huntsville is assisting the family and is in charge of local arrangements and Hixson-Ducote Funeral Home in Bunkie, Louisiana will be in charge of the services and burial in Bunkie, LA. Online condolences may be sent to www.hixson-ducote.com