Leslie Lavar Johnston, 94, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Chandler, Arizona at the home of his great-granddaughter. Lavar was born on Oct. 30, 1926, in Bryce, Arizona, to Leslie and Zara Lamaroux Johnston.
As a child, he loved riding horses and swimming in the Gila River. Coming of age during World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as soon as he was able. He warmly recalled working alongside actor Gene Kelly during boot camp in San Diego. For the duration of the war, Lavar served in the South Pacific and Japan as a signalman aboard the USS Gardoqui.
After the war, he attended Arizona State University, where he earned a degree in business. He worked as a Deputy Sheriff for Maricopa County, later serving seven years as an Arizona Highway patrolman based in Fredonia, Arizona.
Because of his horse-riding skills, he had the opportunity to be an extra in several western movies filmed in southern Utah and northern Arizona. He was particularly proud of his work in the 1956 production of The Lone Ranger.
Seeking a career change, Lavar returned to school, working nights as a patrolman while he earned his Master’s Degree in Education and elementary teacher certification. With his young family, he moved to Fruita, Colorado, where he managed a 50-acre farm, taught fourth grade for 20 years, and worked as a park ranger at the Colorado National Monument.
Upon his retirement, he returned to Pima, Arizona. He enjoyed living his later years in the place where he grew up. Lavar was passionate about dancing, especially square dancing. He started several dancing clubs, including the Arizona Strippers Square Dance Club in Fredonia. He also loved watching local high school sports. He was a committed fan of the Pima High School basketball and football teams. His family will remember his fondness for horses, his preference for the color purple, his adorable cartoon illustrations, his laugh, and most importantly, his love.
Lavar was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Lavar is survived by his younger sister, Verba (Russell) Meteer; children, Daniel (Laura) Johnston, Jon (Ruth) Johnston, Arlea (Gary) Lee, Leslie Jones, and Anita (Marty) Robbins, and step-children, Tim (Mary) Shannon, Nancy Harrington (Bob Loback), Gayla (Bill) Shaefer, and Patrick (Ronda) Shannon, as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by an infant son, Lyndon Johnston; his parents, Leslie and Zara Johnston; sisters, Lois, Edris, and Nadine, and brothers, Eugene and Coy.
Visitation will be on Saturday, Aug. 21, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Pima Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 49 South 100 West, Pima, Arizona.
Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21, at the church.
Interment will follow in the Glenbar Cemetery with military honors by the Gila Valley Honor Guard.
Services are entrusted to McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel.
Online condolence may be extended at www.caldwellfuneralchapel.com.
