Richard C. Johnston, Jr.
January 31, 1943 -  March 19, 2009

A Tribute to My Dad

Richard Johnston always had a vision to own a private water ski facility. In 1988, he founded SKI PARADISE.  Along the way, he touched many lives as witnessed by more than a thousand cards and letters of sympathy and condolences from skiers of many years ago to the current.

A story in WaterSki magazine perhaps best describes my dad. I quote: “Heroism doesn’t reside only in the past”. After 23 years of persisting, Richard Johnston won his first National Overall Gold Medal at the 1993 National Championships.  Dad currently holds the Men 6 Florida State Trick Record set in 2007 scoring 3,650 points. The remarkable thing is he was able to set this record while going through chemotherapy and radiation battling cancer.

This is a story of a man who accomplished tremendous things, sometimes against unbelievable odds. He was a shining example of what we should be and do on this earth. He was a caring and loving husband and dad.

I leave you with this verse:

The clock of life is wound but once,
And no man has the power to tell
Just when the hands will stop
At late or early hour.
Now is the only time you own:
Live, love, toil with a will,
Place no faith in tomorrow:
For the clock may then be still.

Raymond Johnston