Chaplain and Pastor Thomas M. Johnston, Jr., age 68, a resident of Wheaton, Illinois for 50 years and dearly loved by his family and friends, went to be with his Lord on Monday, December 12, 2022.

He was born November 30, 1954, at Castle Air Force Base in Merced, California. Tom grew up moving every few years due to his father's military service as an Air Force pilot. After graduating from Falmouth High School, Falmouth, Massachusetts, he moved to Wheaton to attend Wheaton College, where he ran varsity Cross Country and earned his Bachelor's degree in Biblical and Theological studies. He later earned a Master's degree in Evangelism from Wheaton College at the Billy Graham Center. He was a member of Countryside Chapel, Keeneyville Bible Church, and College Church of Wheaton.

Tom's varied career ranged from successful years in Christian book sales, serving with World Relief, traveling frequently abroad leading short term missions teams, and truck driving. But Tom's favorite thing to do was preach the Gospel. His hero was George Whitefield, English pastor and evangelist who was part of God's great awakening (a season of great spiritual revival) in the New World in the mid-1700's. Tom preached and sang monthly for 20 years at Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago. For the past seven years, he has been Pastor of Zion Christian Church in Carpentersville, Illinois, while also joyfully serving as Chaplain with Skyword Ministries. Tom was well known as the Chaplain of Midway Airport, preaching multiple services a day and talking and praying with hundreds of people who crossed his path while he served there.

Tom loved the Lord and loved people. He had a beautiful singing voice and still maintains a 50-year record finishing in the top 10 of the Falmouth Road Race (he holds ninth place).

He is survived by his brothers, David (Ying) Johnston, and Stewart (Michelle) Johnston, his step-daughters Jenny and Melissa, cousins, his step-mother Sandy Johnston, and his girlfriend Linda Gehrs.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, and his parents.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 21, from 3:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL.  A funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 22, at 11:00 a.m. at College Church, 332 E. Seminary Ave, Wheaton, with a reception to follow. The service will be livestreamed beginning at 11:00 a.m. CST through this link: Funeral Service for Thomas Johnston . Friends may visit Thursday from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the church in the Fireside Room. Private interment will follow at Wheaton Cemetery in Wheaton, Illinois.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Skyword Ministries: Skyword, PO Box 10, Glenview, Illinois, 60025-0010.

Family and friends may sign a guestbook at hultgrenfh.com . For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.