Craig Russell Johnston
November 15, 1942 – September 10, 2021

Craig Johnston passed away peacefully on September 10th, 2021 surrounded by his loving wife, Cheryl, of 58 years and their two daughters, Tracy and Susie. Craig was 78 years old.

Born November 15, 1942 in Kenosha, WI, to Dr. Russell and Virginia Johnston, and had one brother, Perry Johnston. His six grandchildren (Alec, Kennedy, Chandler, Luke, Campbell and Stella) called him “Baba” and cherished the wisdom he shared about life, travel, education, hunting, fishing and of course the need to learn to play golf.

Craig moved to Santa Rosa in 1945, where he continued to live for the rest of his life. He met Cheryl at Montgomery High School in 1959 and built a beautiful, fun, and adventurous life together. They raised Tracy and Susie in the one of a kind farmhouse in Bennett Valley, where many unforgettable memories have been created over the years.

Craig played on the golf team and was a member of the Beta Fraternity at the University of Oregon (1960-1964) and then attended UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco (1964-1967). He practiced Estate Planning in Santa Rosa for 40+ years.

Everyone who knew Craig described him as the guy who “lit up the room” with his wildly entertaining stories, zest for world travel, passion for hunting, fishing, golf, all genres of music and was a voracious reader on all subjects. He craved knowledge and loved to share it, which is why he made an everlasting impact on so many of his friends and family. His favorite expressions we will all never forget include: “Unbelievable!!!”, “You have Got to be kidding me!!”, “Phenomenal!!” and “That’s Super”. In his later years, he would say “I have lived life to the fullest and have no regrets”, and advised his family to do the same.

Craig served as President of the Sonoma County Bar Association, President of the Santa Rosa Active 20-30 Club, Member of The Russian River Fly Fishing Club and Founder of the RRFF Casting Pond. He and Cheryl belonged to Santa Rosa Golf & Country Club for 56 years, where Craig won the Club Championship.
There will be a private Celebration of Life held for Craig on a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the ().