Nelson Gail Johnston, age 87, passed away surrounded by family and dear friends on January 27, 2022, at Resolute Hospital, New Braunfels, Texas. Gail was born on October 7, 1934, in Odin, Illinois, to Ferrold (Williams) and Nelson Johnston.

Gail and his wife of 65 years, Marsha (Myers) Johnston, have lived in Spring Branch, Texas since 2000. Both Gail and Marsha have been active in their church and in the community.

In 1952, Gail graduated high school from Salem High School. He faithfully attended class reunions until the mid-2000s, traveling via motor home from Texas to Illinois, visiting friends and relations along the way.

Gail attended Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois, graduating in 1956 with a BA/BS in Chemical Engineering. After graduating, he earned an additional degree in Metallurgy.

A month after graduating college, Gail married Marsha, and they moved from Salem, Illinois to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Gail worked as a lab chemist for Dowell (Division of Dow Chemical). His work included credit for three patents. While in Tulsa, Gail and Marsha's family grew with the births of Catherine (Cathi) Gail and Tani Lee Johnston.

In 1964, Dowell transferred Gail and Marsha to Flora, Illinois. In 1966, Gail took a sales position with Enjay Chemical Company, Inc. Shortly after, Enjay transferred Gail and his family, which by then included daughters Cathi and Tani, to Tamari, Venezuela, launching Gail's oversees career. Gail was transferred to Tripoli Libya in 1970, then to Manama, Bahrain. The years spent oversees as ex-patriots provided travel opportunities and many cultural experiences.

In 1976, Enjay (now Exxon Chemical) transferred Gail to its Long Beach, California offices. The family settled in Huntington Beach, California, living there from 1976 to 2001. Gail retired from Exxon in 1993.

In 2000, Gail and Marsha moved to the Texas Hill Country, after falling in love with the landscape when returning from an extended motor home trip through Mexico. Gail and Marsha quickly set down roots, joining Hill Country Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Bulverde, Texas. Both were extremely active within the congregation, serving over the years as Deacons, Elders, Moderators, and chairs of Property and Worship Committees. Gail and Marsha were always on hand to assist at weddings, funerals, Vacation Bible School, and community events.

Gail and Marsha volunteered at the Bulverde Food Bank (now Provisions), delivered Meals on Wheels, and participated in the Bulverde Jubilee. When not volunteering, the couple loved traveling in their motor home with their beloved dogs. Trips ranged across the Continental U.S., including Alaska, Canada, and Mexico. They made many friends and memories along the way.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Marsha, his daughters Cathi (Reggie) Bruhn of Spring, Texas; Tani Lee (Orlando) Martinez of Spring Branch, Texas. Gail was blessed with two grandchildren, Joshua Lee Bruhn and Ruth Elizabeth Bruhn. He will be missed by Christine (Chad) Martinez and their three children, and Jerlyn (Jason) Martinez and their two children. Gail also is survived by his sister Roma (Look) Johnston and her daughter Carmen (Clark) Lowery and Steve Clark. Gail was preceded in death by his brother Gerald Johnston, mother and father, Ferrold and Nelson Johnson, and cousin Jerry (Beverly) Higgison.

Throughout his life, Gail's sense of humor and love for life touched many. He was a competitive chess player, using an online program to play games worldwide on a daily basis up until the last month of his life. He enjoyed classic cars, attending vintage car shows and collecting Auburn rubber cars. Gail never passed up the chance to share good food or a cup of hot coffee with friends, and he was well-known for his flavorful beer margaritas. He touched many lives, lending a listening ear, encouraging words, and much more.

In lieu of flowers, Gail requested that donations be made in Gail Johnston's name to Hill Country Christian Church, 20845 TX-46, Spring Branch, TX 78070

Visitation, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 11, 2022. Doeppenschmidt Funeral Home at Sattler, 1071 FM2673, Canyon Lake, TX 78133. Private Gravesite Service 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 12, 2022. Hill Country Memorial Gardens, 11700 TX-46, New Braunfels, TX 78132. Celebration of Life Service 12:30 p.m. Saturday, February 12, 2022. Light Luncheon to Follow. Hill Country Christian Church, 20845 TX-46, Spring Branch, TX 78070