On Sunday, March 13th, Gary Lynwood Johnston of Edgewood, KY, in his 76th year of life, marched into heaven to be with his Lord and Saviour to the tune of Seventy-Six Trombones. Gary was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Alysha Edison. He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Nyoka Johnston, his three loving children, Allison, Alan, and Alex, grandchildren Brendan, Kyle, Kiera, Josey, and Curry, and his brother, Rick Johnston, and sister, Leslie Gross.
Gary was an Associate Professor of Music at Northern Kentucky University, teaching electronic and computer music technology, orchestration, and Music Appreciation. In addition, he served in the community as conductor of the Mt. Auburn Brass Fellowship, a 25 member semi-professional brass and percussion ensemble, and was President of the board of directors of the Cincinnati Community Orchestra. Gary served his community also as an amateur radio operator (KI4LA), and as Past Director and Assistant Director of the Great Lakes Division of the ARRL (National Association for Amateur Radio). Gary was also a former EMT and life squad driver for the Edgewood, KY Fire/EMS, and has served around the world as Communications Officer for the St. Luke DMAT KY1 (Disaster Medical Assistance Team). He was a long-standing member of the executive committee of the Kenton County Republican Party.
Gary was an avid computer user and former President of the board of directors of the AppleSiders of Cincinnati. Gary could often be found consulting or as an interviewee for local Cincinnati, Ohio and Northern Kentucky Newspapers.
He performed as trombonist with the Nashville and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestras, as well as serving as principal trombone with the Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony Orchestra, Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, and the Brighton Brass Band. Gary served as director of the Boone County High School Jazz Ensemble, The Walnut Hills High School Jazz Ensemble, The Miami University of Ohio Jazz Ensemble, and the Northern Kentucky University Jazz Ensemble. He founded the Jazz Festivals at Walnut Hills, Miami University, and NKU. Gary also spent many years directing the orchestra at Calvary Baptist Church.
He also toured and performed on trombone with such notable artists as the Righteous Brothers, Sammy Davis Jr., Mel Torme, Issac Hayes, The Glenn Miller Orchestra under Tex Beneke and Paula Kelly, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under Warren Covington, and under Buddy Morrow, Paul Anka, Bobby Vinton, Nancy Wilson, Bob Hope, Eddy Arnold, Debbie Reynolds, Bob Crosby and his “Bob Cats”, Ralph Flannigan, and Lana Cantrell. As trombonist with the Commonwealth Brass Quintet, he recorded a series for NPR. His advanced work included conducting study with the late Thomas Shippers. Gary was a published composer and arranger, and member of ASCAP and the Cincinnati Musician’s Association Local #1 AFM. Gary also performed on flugelhorn, trumpet, euphonium, contrabass, piano, and served as bass trombonist with the Cincinnati Community Orchestra, performing as recently as March 2022. Local bands included Cliff Lash WLWT Bob Braun Show orchestra, Teddy Rakel’s Lookout House Supper Club house orchestra, Buzz Neill’s Kings Island show orchestra & Beverly Hills Supper Club house orchestra, the Blue Wisp Jazz Club Orchestra, the Will Hauser Orchestra, Moonlight Gardens house orchestras of Pete Wagner & Charlie Keher, the Andy Brady, “Smitty” Smith, & Pete Metsger park bands.
Please join us at Immanuel Baptist Church in Highland Heights, KY on Friday, March 18th to remember Gary’s many life accomplishments. Visitation will be 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., with a Service to follow immediately at 12:30 p.m. Gary’s singular request for his funeral service was to include the song, What Wondrous Love Is This. May the words of this song that meant so much to him encourage and help you to celebrate Gary’s life and legacy.