Montpelier, VT James A. Johnston, 79, formerly of Montpelier, Greensboro, and most recently of Essex Junction, died on October 7, 2018. Jim was born in Rutland, VT, on New Years Day in 1939, the son of Zenas and Ruth (Clark) Johnston. Jim graduated from Rutland High School in 1956, and served three years in the United States Marine Corps. In 1961, he graduated from the New England Institute of Anatomy, Sanitary Science, Embalming, and Funeral Directing, in Boston. While in school, Jim worked full-time for J.S. Waterman Funeral Home, Bostons largest funeral home. After graduation he moved to Montpelier, VT where he began working for Barber & Lanier Funeral Home under the ownership of Bob Hale. Jim bought the business in 1964 and operated it until his retirement in 2011. On May 5, 1966, Jim married Linda H. Ortiz at St. Augustine Church, in Montpelier. Jim and Linda made their home in Montpelier for forty years. Jim and Linda moved to Greensboro, VT, in 2006 and then to Essex Junction, VT, in 2014, where Jims focus was on his family, caring for his wife, and attending his grandsons many sporting events. Jim held many memberships in Central Vermont including, the American Legion, VFW, Kiwanis, Mount Sinai Shriners, and the Barre and Montpelier Elks. Jim was a past president, and government relations liaison for the Vermont Funeral Directors Association. He also served on the Vermont Board of Funeral Service and Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery Board. He was very active in the Vermont Republican Party and served on several campaigns. Jim was Senator Jim Jeffords campaign finance manager for many years. Survivors include his wife Linda O. Johnston, of Essex Junction, daughters, Darcie L. Johnston of Alexandria, VA and Stacey Nelson and her husband David (Nelson) of Essex Junction; his grandsons, Elliott James Nelson and David Samuel (Sam) Nelson of Essex Junction; his sister, Jo-Anne Kennedy of Narragansett, RI; his sister-in-law Melanie Ortiz of Groton, VT, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. His parents and his younger brother Robert Johnston predeceased Jim. His brothers-in-law John W. Kennedy, Jr. and Richard J. Ortiz and his nephews Gray Johnston and John W. Kennedy, III also predeceased him. There will be no calling hours. A graveside service with Military Honors will be held on Monday, October 15, 2018, 11:00 a.m., at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Randolph, VT, followed by a reception at the Capital Plaza, Montpelier, VT. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jims memory to the John W. Kennedy, III Class of 96 Memorial Scholarship Fund at Norwich University, Laurie LaMothe, at 158 Harmon Drive, Northfield, VT, 05663, or to the Vermont Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Robert Burke, VT Office of Veterans Affairs, 118 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602-0441. Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at www.guareandsons.com.