Douglas William Johnston

Doug Johnston’s generous spirit, unfailing loyalty, and fierce determination left an indelible mark on family, friends, and colleagues alike. He passed away on July 8, 2021, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Douglas William Johnston was born January 20, 1959, in New York City, New York, to Jim and Patsy Johnston. He was the second child of an Irish family of four children including his older brother, Jimmy, and two younger sisters, Elizabeth and Patty. The family moved to San Francisco then later to Southern California when Doug was young.

After graduating from Fullerton High School, he studied Construction Management at Cal State Long Beach and considered a career in law. He stuck with construction and his indomitable and industrious nature led to a successful career as a commercial general contractor. He opened what would ultimately become Johnston & Associates in the mid 80’s while raising his young family and developed a reputation as one of the premier GC’s in Los Angeles and Orange County. After a few years of “retirement” in the mid 90’s, he found himself back in the game with his next company, Construction Management Concepts, where he worked until the week before he passed.

Doug loved fishing, golf, and travel with his family and friends. While he enjoyed deep sea fishing, fly fishing was his favorite.  He fished “on the fly” in Canada, Montana, Texas, Alaska, Arizona, Utah, and Wyoming. He taught his children and grandchildren to cast in the backyard and loved a good fish fry! Doug played golf all over the US as well as in Scotland and Ireland. He was proud of his 2 holes in one at Pebble Beach (#12) and his home course, Yorba Linda Country Club (#17). The relationships he built at the YLCC were strong and a very important part of his life.

Doug loved spending time with his children and grandchildren - helping them, protecting them, teaching them.  He valued his many friendships, always looking forward to being together. But above all else, he cherished his relationship with his wife, Tracey. Doug and Tracey maintained a love affair for 37 years. They were perfect partners, cohorts, friends. “You were there, I forgot the rest”.  He was always there.

He is survived by his wife, Tracey, his children, Rebecca, James, and Michael, his grandchildren, and his sisters, Patty and Elizabeth.

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