Msgt. Marcus Wayne Johnston, Usaf (Ret.)

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, Marcus Wayne Johnston, quietly passed away on the morning of Thursday, April 21, 2022, at the age of 67.

Marcus was born on October 17, 1954, to the late MSgt. Meulloye Waine and Betty Chancy Johnston, in Pahokee, FL. His dad proudly served in the United States Air Force until he retired.

On the first day of Marcus’ senior year of high school in 1972, Marcus met his future bride, Priscilla Jordan. It took seven months for him to get up the courage to ask her out on a date. He was so nervous that she would say no. Not only did she say yes to a date, she would say “yes” in September of 1973, when Marcus asked her to marry him. Marcus and Priscilla were married on June 7, 1974 at Enon Baptist Church in Banks, AL. From this union, he became a big brother to Priscilla’s four sisters and the son her parents never had. They were both very young. Marcus, who was only 19 at the time, had to have his mom sign for him to get married, and Priscilla, who was only 17, had to have her dad sign for her. Marcus and Priscilla knew all those years ago they loved each other and God blessed them both with a long and wonderful life together. Marcus was a devoted, caring and loving husband, who was always kind, considerate and giving. He tried to make each day special for Priscilla by doing something for her from putting out her coffee cup in the morning to picking up her favorite ice cream to bringing her flowers. At times, he would even stop in someone’s yard to bring her wildflowers. Those were special and precious, even the dandelions. Marcus was always thinking of her, making sure she was taken care of and happy.

The first blessing to their new family was a son, Meulloye Jason, who was born in 1978 at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. Their second blessing was a daughter, Jessica Marie, born in 1982 at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. Marcus and Priscilla would have five more blessings in their lives with the arrival of their grandchildren. They, along with their children, were one of Marcus’ greatest joys in life. He would smile to hear them call him “Pappy,” and although he had many accomplishments and wore other titles in his life, he was most proud of this one; he loved spending time with them. Whether he was on the ball field watching a game, playing hide and seek with the porch light on, telling a story about when he was a kid or just sitting under an old oak tree imparting some wisdom for the future, he loved his grandchildren and the fulfillment they brought to his and Priscilla’s lives.

Marcus loved his job, as well as the people he worked with and served, in that capacity. He enjoyed being with his family, working outside in his yard, gardening, fishing and hunting. Marcus was a mentor and wonderful role model to his nieces and nephews who valued his wisdom and guidance.

In 1975, Marcus joined the United States Air Force. He proudly served for more than 21 years and retired in 1996. After retirement, Marcus returned to Alabama where he was employed with the Alabama Department of Corrections as a radio operator while earning his Bachelor’s of Business Administration and Accounting Degree at Troy State University. Marcus, loving the Air Force, returned to Robins Air Force Base as a Comptroller with the Materiel Command 78th Comptroller Squadron. He proudly held this position for 17 years before retiring on June 30, 2021.

“Marcus, my friend, my partner, my love, is gone. My heart is broken. I will miss seeing your face in the morning when I wake up and hearing your voice telling me, “I love you,” before I close my eyes at night. I love you always. You are home and at peace. Rest, my love, until I see you again.”

Marcus is survived by his wife, Priscilla Jordan Johnston; his children, Jason Johnston (Kereen) and Jessica Johnston Harpe (Shannon); his grandchildren, Drew Harpe, Kade Harpe, Blaine Pritchett, Caitlyn Johnston and Zachary Johnston; sisters, Holly Nosler and Nancy Boerth (Scott); as well as, a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant brother, Martin William Johnston; and his sister, Elizabeth Jo Koon.

Marcus’ friends and family will receive visitors on Friday, April 29, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A funeral service will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home. Marcus will be laid to rest in Magnolia Park Cemetery following the service.

For friends unable to attend at this time, the service will be streamed live via the McCullough Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mcculloughfuneralhome/live/.

Learn about the measures McCullough Funeral Home is taking to ensure the health and safety of our guests at mcculloughfh.com. There you can also sign an Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.