Johnston, Joseph L.

Joe was a gentle soul with a loving and generous heart. We will miss him.
Lisa and Frank Traditi,
Highlands Ranch CO

I worked with Joe at the Denver Medical Library in Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center for several years. He was smart and organized and well-read. He would have made a great college professor of literature. Joe had a wonderful sense of humor and a sweet nature. This world would be a better place with more people as gentle and kind as him. His divine essence will be missed. He has found peace.
Sympathy and loving thoughts are extended to his family and friends.

My sincere sympathy on the loss of Joe. I used to work with him and enjoyed his quiet ways and sense of humor. I will very much miss him.

The mysterious ways of God> This is a true story about my meeting with Joe. My 1st job in Denver was at PDH in 1982. I met Joe when he worked at the PSL Bookstore. I left PSL/St. Lukes in 1986 and lost contact with him. He was married to a wonderful woman named Barb then. Many years later, I began dating a man that I was attracted to because of his belief in Christ. He told me a story about how he was very down and out and his aunt came over with a Bible to talk to him about Christ. He said he had gone to the PSL Bookstore (he was in medicine) one day and was stunned to see that very same Bible laying on the desk. He asked the manager (Joe, who he wasn't familiar with) why he had the Bible and Joe said someone had ordered it but did not pick it up. Well, he was urged to buy that Bible. And because of this action, he became a Christian and turned his life around from a very saddened downward spiral. I told him I thought I knew who it was who sold him the Bible. I described Joe and he said that was correct. I inquired about Joe and was told he had been laid off years ago and had started drinking again and was divorced. I asked my friend if he wouldn't like to take Joe to lunch with me and tell him about how he had changed his life. We decided to do so but on the day Joe was supposed to show, he did not show. I called for 3 months and got no answer. Finally one day I got a phone call from Joe who told me he had been found unconscious the evening before the scheduled lunch date and that he was in Autumn Heights nursing home. I decided that I needed to go and tell him about how he had changed someone's life... And thus began my regular visits with Joe. I can't tell you how much Joe blessed me during these visits. We shared many stories about our lives, our families, God, Joe's poetry, Joe's crazy roomate there, his Social Worker friend, movies, books, and philosophy in general. We continued our correspondences once he moved to Riverton and before he left, I gave him a Bible, which he took with him. At my last letter to him, I sent him a crucifix, and he wrote back and told me how happy he was to get this because Barb had one and he always wanted one! Although I do not know if he ever made a commitment to Christ, I pray he did so in his own quiet way and I pray the Lord welcomed Joe with loving arms. I also pray blessing on his family and Barb.

One last thing. Joe mentioned that he always wanted to meet Tyler, my Australian-Shepherd/German-Shepherd mix. I used to talk to him alot about my love for Tyler and all Tyler's antics. Like the time I came home to find about 12 pairs of my shoes chewed up in the yard!! And many other funny things about Tyler. And he told me of his love for the dogs he and Barb had and how much he missed them. On August 4, Tyler was diagnosed with pancreatitis. We tried to save him but he died in my arms on August 17th at 6 am. In the Lord's mercy, I pray Joe is enjoying my Tyler now. It's just all so odd how God allowed me to share with Joe after not talking to him for over 12 years. And how I came to meet him once again. And how Tyler died very close to the time Joe died. I guess I just want to say, "Thanks Joe, for being my friend, and I hope to see you in the next world to come. As well as my Tyler..." Karen Wells

I met Joe in January of this year. Although we knew each other for only a short time, I felt much closer to him, because we are the same. I am deeply saddened by the loss of Joe, and my heart really goes out to his family. I wish I had helped Joe more. I wish that I could have done something for him. But I know from my own experiences that I couldn't have made much of a difference. Not for very long. Joe, I know that you arent suffering anymore. My prayer for you is to know only love and the perfect peace of our Lord. I hope that everyone who knows you will take comfort in knowing that you will never be alone again. Thank you for being my friend, Joe. Love from Sicily

Because Joe often said he'd like to travel to Fiji some day, I gave him a stuffed penguin, which he promptly named Finnegan. Imagine my surprise when I started receiving birthday cards signed Finnegan. When we worked together at what is now the Denver Medical Library, Joe's sense of humor was often a saving grace. Too, his love of literature enlivened our conversations about favorite films. Many of us will carry him in our hearts.

I was very saddened to hear of Joe's passing. We had been corresponding through letters after he moved to Wyoming. I had hoped to visit him this summer. I truly regret that will never happen. We have been friends for over 22 years (we first got to know each other at the Denver Medical Library and later worked together in the Denver Medical Books store). I used to help Joe edit his poetry before he submitted it for publication. He was always a wonderful support to me in my writing and creative endeavors...never letting me get discouraged. I will always cherish our long literary discussions (Joe's passion for the written word was unquenchable...he often read the classics 3 or 4 times just for the beauty and the flow of thought), our treks to watch offbeat movies and laughing at life's mysteries. Joe was a magnet to everyone he met because of his kindness and thoughtfullness. He was a sensitive, irreplaceable, loyal friend. I will miss his smile and laughter. Yet through my saddness I feel very lucky to have crossed paths with him and to be able to call him my friend.

Please know I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. On Saturday, I will be thinking of Joe and celebrating his life.

I have only know Joe for a short time since he came to Riverton but I will sadly miss him he was a wonderful man. I enjoyed visiting with him and listening to his storys from his teenage years in Rawlins to his time in Denver. Joe was very Knowledgeable and was so kind and caring. I know his soul is a peace now. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends.