Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Todd Michael Johnston


Todd Michael Johnston, 41, of Hailey, died Friday of heart failure during a mountain bike ride along the Gold Bar Rim Trail in the slickrock dessert near Moab, Utah.

Todd knew how to do a great many things: loving; parenting; skiing powder; laughing; biking; story telling; installing and fixing hot tubs; playing with his kids; running a business; staunchly defending the blue line during a hockey game; caring for people.

The things Todd decided to do, he invariably did well and with a vigor and enthusiasm that will always remain awe inspiring to those who knew him.

To the great benefit of his family and friends, armed with a sharp sense of humor, a charming grin and a warm and generous heart, Todd was especially good at sharing his passion with those around him.

This is especially true of Todd's relationship with his son, Logan, 13, and his daughter Karley, 2, and his wife of 17 years, Vicki Boas Johnston.

Todd was preceded in death by his beloved and bright-spirited daughter Skylar.

In addition to Logan, Karley and Vicki, Todd is survived by his father and mother, Charles and Sue Johnston of Scottsdale, Ariz.; brother Scott Johnston, his wife Tara and kids, Tyler and Kendall, of Sammamish, Wash.; brother Gregory Johnston, his wife Molly and kids, Brian, Ashley and Nicholas, of St. Charles, Ill.; father- and mother-in-law Gerald and Beverly Boas of Sun Valley, Idaho; brother-in-law Gregory Boas, his wife Megan and kids, Morgan and Heather, of Truckee, Calif.; sister-in-law Nancy Thomas and her kids, Kane, Kaleb and Jade.

Todd's friends along the way run the gamut from his time growing up in Glencoe, Ill., attending New Trier High School in Winnetka, Ill., college at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and Boise State University, and the better part of two decades living in the Wood River Valley.

Anyone who spent time with Todd in the mountains—he moved west because he found the Great Lakes region a bit short on open space and interesting topography—will likely remember the sights and sounds of his aggressive style in attacking an untracked ski slope or technical section of single track. And the immense grin he wore when the day was done.

And his family will remember the energy, humor and compassion he brought to each day.

It is this sense of having shared Todd's enthusiastic approach to his life that will carry family and friends through a difficult loss and a feeling that he left us too soon.

They will also be comforted by the fact that Todd did not get cheated out of one second—he lived his life to the fullest.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Sun Valley. A reception will follow from 3-5:30 p.m. at Elkhorn Springs Restaurant, 948 Elkhorn Road, in Sun Valley. Memorials are suggested to the Hospice of the Wood River Valley, Box 4320, Ketchum, ID 83340.

Arrangements are under the care of Wood River Chapel of Hailey, Idaho (www.WoodRiverChapel.com).




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