Philip S. Johnston

Philip Sherman Johnston, age 97, of Casper, died peacefully at home on Aug. 30, 2026 in Casper. He was born Jul. 22, 1929, in Casper, to William V. Johnston and Mary A. Scholz, and was the sixth child of ten.

His first job at the age of thirteen was sweeping up after the carpenters employed by his father. In the summer of 1944, he went to work for Schulte Hardware at 228 S. Center and learned to work sheet metal with Ed Flaherty. He worked at this job all through his high school years. 1n 1948, he graduated from Natrona Co. High School and after working the summer in Chico, CA; he came home and enlisted in the Navy.

After completing boot camp in San Diego, CA, he was sent to Aviation Structural Mechanics School in Memphis, TN and graduated second in his class. During the Korean Conflict, he was attached to Attack Squadron 195 and served aboard the U.S.S. Boxer, CV21 and the U.S.S. Princeton, CV37, Aircraft Carriers. He was awarded the China Service Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star, the United Nations Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Phil was a First Class Petty Officer when he was discharged in 1952.

Phil owned his own sheet metal shop, Johnston Sheet Metal Service for fifty-six years. Many will remember him for installing their furnace, air conditioner, or rain gutters.

On Jul. 22, 1955, in Casper, Phil was married to Donna V. Gowin. Following the sheet metal workers union during the early years of their marriage they lived in Canoga Park and No. Hollywood, CA; Logan, UT; and several towns in southern Wyoming.

Phil enjoyed a variety of hobbies including painting, restoring cars, sculpting old wood into art as well as a lifetime of construction and building. He was constantly creating and recreating his home and cabin, improving them for his family. Everything he touched became more beautiful. He enjoyed sharing his hobbies and teaching his grandkids to paint.

He was preceded in death by his parents, eight siblings, two grandsons, and 3 great grandsons. Survivors include his wife, Donna; children: Eileen (Ray) Pearson, Mark (Liza) Johnston, David (Annette) Johnston, and Stephen (Julie) Johnston; forty-seven grandchildren and thirty-nine great grandchildren.

A visitation for family and friends will be held 10:00am, Saturday, September 5, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1922 South Poplar St, Casper, WY 82601. A Funeral Service will follow and begin at 11:00am, Saturday, September 5, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1922 South Poplar St, Casper, WY 82601.

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