Obituary for Michell-Denise Johnston
Michell-Denise Johnston, 44, Soldotna, Alaska, formerly of Happy, passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2020. Services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, August 28, 2020 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon with Jeremy McCarty officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. on Friday, prior to the service.
Michell-Denise was born on October 8, 1975 in Whittier, California to Luis and Diane Smith Gandara. She was a 1993 graduate of Happy High School and attended the Paramedicine Program at Amarillo College. She married William ‘Terry’ Johnston on July 19, 2008 in Happy. She began her 25year career in paramedics volunteering at Happy Fire Department / EMT and later received her EMT certification and her fire fighter certification through the SFFMA. She supported the military as a paramedic in Iraq and Afghanistan for 4 ½ years. She also served as director for numerous ambulance services around the world and was valued as an educator for the Texas Panhandle EMS. She was a mentor, leader, and teacher in her field and will be remembered for her compassion for people. She was a member of the National American EMT Association and the SFFMA (State Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals’ Association). She was also a restaurant owner in Soldotna, Alaska. Michell-Denise loved to volunteer with the Kenai River Brown Bear Hockey Team where she was an avid fan. She and Terry also served as house parents to many of the players. She was a strong advocate for other patients in educating them in treatments and will be lovingly remembered for her positive, happy attitude, no matter the circumstances.
Michell-Denise was preceded in death by her grandparents, Eric Smith, Hazel Cumby, Russell Cumby, Luis Gandara, Sr., and Concepion Gandara, and her father, Luis Gandara, Jr.
Survivors include her husband, Terry Johnston of Soldotna, AK; her sons, Tyler Whitsett and wife, Vickie of Tulia and Jake Johnston of Soldotna, AK; mother, Diane McPherson of Happy; grandmother, Patricia Smith of Temecula, CA; sister, Erica Reyes and husband, Jesse of Happy; granddaughter, Azeala Johnston of Soldotna, AK; aunts and uncles, Andrew and Kathy Cumby of Amarillo, Tracy and Miki Cumby of Lubbock, Carol and Paul Brockway of Anaheim, CA, and Janie Cumby of Hemet, CA; nephews, Cameron Reyes and wife, Chandler of Happy, and Dylan Reyes of Amarillo; niece, Emilie Reyes of Happy; great niece, Sutton Reyes of Happy; her beloved friend that was like a sister, Lacie Geerts and husband, Tomas; and numerous other aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The family suggests memorials be to the Happy EMS, PO Box 216, Happy, TX 79042, the Kenai River Brown Bear Hockey Team, PO Box 2613, Kenai, Ak 99611, or to the Glioblastoma Foundation @ glioblastomafoundation.org.
Michell-Denise was born on October 8, 1975 in Whittier, California to Luis and Diane Smith Gandara. She was a 1993 graduate of Happy High School and attended the Paramedicine Program at Amarillo College. She married William ‘Terry’ Johnston on July 19, 2008 in Happy. She began her 25year career in paramedics volunteering at Happy Fire Department / EMT and later received her EMT certification and her fire fighter certification through the SFFMA. She supported the military as a paramedic in Iraq and Afghanistan for 4 ½ years. She also served as director for numerous ambulance services around the world and was valued as an educator for the Texas Panhandle EMS. She was a mentor, leader, and teacher in her field and will be remembered for her compassion for people. She was a member of the National American EMT Association and the SFFMA (State Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals’ Association). She was also a restaurant owner in Soldotna, Alaska. Michell-Denise loved to volunteer with the Kenai River Brown Bear Hockey Team where she was an avid fan. She and Terry also served as house parents to many of the players. She was a strong advocate for other patients in educating them in treatments and will be lovingly remembered for her positive, happy attitude, no matter the circumstances.
Michell-Denise was preceded in death by her grandparents, Eric Smith, Hazel Cumby, Russell Cumby, Luis Gandara, Sr., and Concepion Gandara, and her father, Luis Gandara, Jr.
Survivors include her husband, Terry Johnston of Soldotna, AK; her sons, Tyler Whitsett and wife, Vickie of Tulia and Jake Johnston of Soldotna, AK; mother, Diane McPherson of Happy; grandmother, Patricia Smith of Temecula, CA; sister, Erica Reyes and husband, Jesse of Happy; granddaughter, Azeala Johnston of Soldotna, AK; aunts and uncles, Andrew and Kathy Cumby of Amarillo, Tracy and Miki Cumby of Lubbock, Carol and Paul Brockway of Anaheim, CA, and Janie Cumby of Hemet, CA; nephews, Cameron Reyes and wife, Chandler of Happy, and Dylan Reyes of Amarillo; niece, Emilie Reyes of Happy; great niece, Sutton Reyes of Happy; her beloved friend that was like a sister, Lacie Geerts and husband, Tomas; and numerous other aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The family suggests memorials be to the Happy EMS, PO Box 216, Happy, TX 79042, the Kenai River Brown Bear Hockey Team, PO Box 2613, Kenai, Ak 99611, or to the Glioblastoma Foundation @ glioblastomafoundation.org.