Jack “Kelly”
Johnston Jr.
April 17, 1945 – December 24, 2020
Jack “Kelly” Johnston Jr., of Richmond passed away quickly and peacefully Christmas Eve 2020 after his years long battle of cancer.
Born on April 17, 1945 to the late Janie May Will, Jack Kelly Johnston Sr. and stepfather Edward M. Eppes III. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Margret Hale Magill, Matthew Will Johnston; niece Erin Grey Magill; and grandson J Gooss. He is survived by his daughters Mary Elizabeth Ortuno, Baker Kelly Johnston Gooss; stepdaughter Dawn Bancroft Frappollo; his four grandchildren: James, Isabella, Lily and Bo; nephew Tyler Magill; and stepsister Margaret Eppes Curtis.
Kelly will be remembered by his extreme generosity and special giveaways whether they were two-dollar bills, pocket-crosses or eye-glass cleaners, he was sure to bring you a smile or make a new friend. Kelly’s greatest joys were his health mission through the SDA church, his years long service to his fellow AA members, and his love of the water and gardening, teaching his daughters and grandchildren to boat, fish, and find peace in nature.
The family’s mausoleum at Hollywood Cemetery will be open Saturday, January 16th from 1-3pm for relatives only.
The family will receive friends for an informal memorial service Sunday, January 17th from 10-11am at Affinity Funeral Service – Richmond Chapel, 2720 Enterprise Pkwy, Richmond, VA 23294.
Click here to join the live streamed memorial service for Jack “Kelly” Johnston Jr.
❤ “Above and Beyond” ❤
My sincerest condolences for you at this time. You have my deepest sympathy and unwavering support. Wishing you peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time.
Happy you were in peace after so much pain. I’m sure you’ll be teaching them how to eat better in heaven!
My sincerest condolences for you at this time. You have my deepest sympathy and unwavering support. Wishing you peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time.
Sweet Kelly always did have the most special quirky gifts! They always made me giggle… And boy did he love his girls! Kelly and I connected immediately, he was so kind to me and I loved his sense of humor and zest for life!
You will he missed Kelly, lucky ducks up there in heaven they get to hear your stories and keep you safe, hope you took enough $2 bills for everyone! 💕
Kelly was a good friend with a warm heart. Always generous with his time in helping others. Very grateful that our paths crossed in this life. Peace be with you my Friend.
Thank you Michael for your kind words!
My sincerest condolences for you at this time. You have my deepest sympathy and unwavering support. Wishing you peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time.
Oh, so much to say about Kelly! I admire Kelly so much, he always had a smile , nice words and little gifts to bring joy to people around him. He was always busy, working and helping everyone that needed a hand. He was like a father to all of his friends! He had a solution for all ! He loved God and loved people!
I will miss his advices and words of encouragement.
Yes, Kelly will be missed by many..
Thank you Dr. Ivane! I will be in touch regarding Dads vitamins.
Kelly was there for me when I needed him. God had a special purpose for Kelly. I was fortunate to have had him in my life. He will be missed but not forgotten.
Thank you Karl!
Kelly will be greatly missed, he was a great friend.
Thank you Juan and Elizabeth!
Kelly was really a christlike person in his character, I will never forget his kindness and generosity.
“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:51-58 KJV
https://www.bible.com/1/1co.15.51-58.kjv
Thank you Francis!
We will only be surprised what God has in store for Kelly. So when he wakes up from this sleep, he will probably remember the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:9 —
“Eyes have not seen. Ears have not heard. Minds cannot imagine what God has prepared for those who LOVE Him. “
Amen Mar, thank you!
Kelly meant so much to our Tuesday lunch small group. He loved to read his Bible with the group, and always had comments and questions to share. A kind soul he was. Truly a unique and loving child of God. We were all blessed to have him as our friend.
Your group meant so much to him. Thank you Fred!
I will never forget Kelly’s smile. Always smiling. I was a recipient of the lens cleaners. He was a good man, and I can’t wait to see him again when Jesus comes.
Thank you Lin!
I will miss my friend Kelly. Awesome person, cared so much for others. Lead an impactful life.
Thank you Seth!
Kelly was nice enough to let me work on his property for a while.it turned out to be more like hanging out with a close friend. he is by far the most interesting man i have ever met,and one of the most pure kind hearted.i learned so much from talking to kelly about so many things.it was impossible to be in a bad mood around him.im truly grateful for the time i got to spend with kelly.i miss him alot,but know he was a man of god and is in the right place now.my prayers are with elizabeth and all the family and friends he left behind.
Thank you for all your help Brandon, it meant so much to him!
WE EXTEND OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THE FAMILY. MAY COMFORT AND PEACE BE WITH YOU IN THESE COMING DAYS.
BLESSINGS,
CHRIS AND BILL PORTER
Thank you Bill!
Kelly – I did not know you were sick. You
never told me. I am one of the AA meetings
goers. Yes Kelly was the quiet two dollar bill
guy. I enjoyed how quiet he spoke. Great
wholesomeness came from him.
I will see you on the other side my friend.
Thank you Bill! He would have wanted you to keep on keeping on!
I will miss you so much my dear friend and confidant. Brother Kelly was in so many ways kind and generous. I will forever keep him in my heart as my most genuine and unassuming Friend who was always ready to lend a hand and more when I was in any kind of trouble or needed help.
Brother, I know I will see you in the resurrection morning.
May your loved ones be comforted knowing that you are sleeping in Christ and that His voice will soon wake you up to eternal life with Him. “No more nights”, Brother Kelly! See you then!
Thank you Cherie Lou!
Kelly was like family to us. We will sorely miss him
He was blessed to have you in his life!
Kelly has been an awesome friend for a long time. He would always take your problems and immediately try to figure out how he can help. Kelly will be missed, but I am so glad he’s no longer in pain.
Thank you Joseph!
Kelly was a dear friend – generous, kind, committed, passionate about health ministries and helping people. Working with him was a privilege and a joy. I miss him… and look forward to seeing Kelly again in heaven.
Thank you Livia, he was blessed that your paths crossed!
The mark of the greatest man is the man who
makes time for others. My family were blessed by Kelly’s kindness and generosity.
It won’t be long, Jesus is coming, those who died in Christ will be resurrected. I Thessalonians 4:16-18.
Thank you Lemuel! He was truly blessed by you and your families friendship!
Kelly was so kind to EVERYONE. Truly one could see our Savior in him. As one of his cleaning ladies he ALWAYS had a kind word on my work & looked for opportunities to bless me with more work. He enjoyed his life, was good to family & friends. A real seeker of truth. Thank you Kelly! We’ll see you again real soon.
Thank you Linda! You know he appreciated your dedication to detail and your warm spirit. Thank you for all your help!
Missing Kelly… his place is not the same without him. My family will always remember his last words to us- Happy Sabbath! Kelly had kept the faith… We have this blessed hope.. We”ll see him again when all our hopes become reality… W pray that Kelly”s family, friends, and loved ones be inspired, comforted, and have peace…
Thank you Janeth for your kind words. He was blessed to be surrounded by you and your family!
Thank you Kelly for our many talks, your quick smile and willingness.
Thank you Dr. Fraker!
Missy & Baker, we are so deeply sorry about Kelly’s passing. What a legacy in you that he leaves behind. He will surely be missed by so many. We wish we could have attended his service in person, but are thankful that you streamed it online. It was a lovely tribute to your dad. Sending you hugs, love, and prayers. Love, Alison & Gary
Thank you Allison and Gary! Dad was so happy when Gary came over to visit. He had a blast catching up with his cousin. You couldn’t have asked for better timing. Lots of love to you and your family!
Kelly had a true way with words, he always made one feel special; his voice saying “Roz, there she is” will always be remembered. Kelly’s last act of kindness and servitude toward me was during my battle with the flu in November. Our Bible study group will never be the same. Peace always..
Roselind Brinkley
Thank you Roz! Your group gave him so much purpose and fellowship!
I wish I could have known Kelly as many years as some of his close friends and family. I feel happy to say..I loved him just as much in our short 3 year friendship. He would say,” Roger that. Over and out.”
Thank you Bridget for all your kindness, help and friendship. It meant the world to him!
Kelly held a special place in our hearts. We lived in one of his rentals next door to him for about 3 years. He was such a character and would always make us laugh. We had our wedding party on his property. We will always remember Kelly as kind, humorous, and generous…he felt like family to us even though we only knew him for a few years. I fondly remember him showing me new “neat” things he would find at bed bath and beyond, juicing with his fancy juicer, insisting his grass outside his house was wheatgrass, leaving his old pantry items and dukes mayo on our doorstep, letting me borrow his Volvo when I had car trouble, telling Zack he was fired over and over again for not hunting the rabbits that were eating his kale, picking huge bags of kale for each of my friends when I had a girl’s night, doing the yoga position “crow” quite perfectly when I explained to him what it was, seeing the sweet brotherly friendship he had with Page….his voice saying “life of a bachelor” and when we moved to our new house he would leave a $2 bill in our door if no one was home. We wish we could’ve made it to the memorial. Our love goes out to his family. Rest In Peace Kelly. We will always remember you. Love, Suzy and Ian
Kelly my friend, it’s almost been a year, I think of you often, you are missed.
I stumbled upon Kellys obituary and was sadden to hear of his passing. He was our neighbor (Mickey & Tracy Adams) when he had his home in Moon, VA. He was gentle, kind and always teaching or telling us something new. He had a great sense of humor and was very sweet to my sons, Ron and Colby. They enjoyed spending time with him in the Summer. I have thought of him over the years and wish we would have kept in touch. Heres to fishing in heaven Kelly!