Thurston Johnson was born in Harlem, New York on August 26, 1924 to a Finnish immigrant, Hilja Johanna Tuominen. Life was difficult in his early years. In the middle of the Great Depression, his mother was not able to adequately provide for him. As a result, the court awarded him to the Kallman Home for Orphaned Children in Brooklyn, New York. It was at the Kallman Home that he met a Greek orphan, Helen Marco, who would one day become his wife, and to whom he would remain married until her death on May 16, 2008. Thurston and Helen had two children, Allen Johnson of Richland and Ray Johnson of Pasco. Thurston served in the United States Navy during World War II. In the early 1950's the family moved from Jersey City, NJ to Richland, WA, where Thurston worked as a welder at Hanford. Thurston's interests included hunting, fishing, softball, and knife collecting. He was also known by his friends as an avid harmonica player-ready to play a tune at church, a restaurant, a retirement home, or even while standing in line at the post office. Thurston is survived by his two sons, Allen and Ray Johnson, three granddaughters-Shelley Ainsworth, Erin Parker, and Amy Sequin-and 9 grandchildren. He is also survived by his second wife, Janet Termaat, of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, and her seven children. Visitation will be Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 10:00am at Faith Assembly 1800 N. Rd. 72, Pasco, Washington. The funeral service will begin at 11:00am at the church, with interment to follow at Desert Lawn Memorial Park.