Obituary and Dedication found in the 1972 Ashe Baptist Association Mintues.

Ira Thomas Johnston, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Johnston of the Idlewild-Blue Ridge Communities, rendered a distinct service to the cause of our Master for many years here in Ashe County. Aside from the sacred relationship he had with his companion of the years and their son, he rendered service to our people in two distinct areas of life: the political and religious. In this tribute to his memory I shall speak only of the religious contribution he made through the church in which he held his membership, in the Ashe Baptist Association and through the Bapist Sate Convention of North Carolina.

Early in his life he made his personal commitment to Jesus Christ as his Lord and united with the Old Fields Baptist Church. But his spiritual pilgrimage was to lead him to transfer his membership to the old Jefferson Baptist Church and from there to the First Baptist Church, West Jefferson, where he rendered a distinct service as long-time teacher of the Men's Bible Class; only illness or absence from the community could keep him from his appointed post of duty. Furthermore, he set the proper example for Sunday School teachers by remaining for the Worship hour; no pastor ever had a more loyal nor faithful supporter than he.

Brother Johnston rendered a dishnet service to the Ashe Baptist Association through he years. He was a delegate from his church almost every year and participated in the deliberations of the association with sympathy for its work and concern for its progress. He served on many of its committees, most notably its Executive Committee of which he was Chairman for many years. He also served as a member of the General Board of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina for several terms. Yet, Brother Johnston was never narrow nor provincial in his Christian commitment for his sense of Christian Brotherhood knew no denominational labels.

How did he live? As all great men have lived before him, as we live and as all who please Cod will live after him; he lived by faith and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, a faith reflected in his favorite hymn, "The Unclouded Day."

R.R.C.