Aquilla Richard Johnston

Aquilla Richard (Dickie) Johnston, 83, died peacefully at his home June 9, 2023, in Columbia, SC. Born May 15th, 1940, in Charleston, SC, he was the oldest son of the late Dr. Aquilla Richard and Catherine Deitrick Johnston of St. George, SC.

He was a graduate of St. George High School and Wofford College where he was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity. He served in the United States Coast Guard. He created and managed The Johnston Company (investments, real estate) in Columbia, SC.

Dickie was devoted to his family. He was a fun loving, outgoing man who loved his friends and was loved by his friends. He valued traveling, seeing different places and meeting new people. He enjoyed boating and spending time on the water as well as the fellowship of others on a tennis court, in a dove field or on a quail hunt. He most cherished the end of the day when he could build a fire, make a cocktail and settle down with a good book.

Dickie is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Carolyn Blackman Johnston; brothers John Johnston of Walterboro, SC, Harry Johnston of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Kirk Johnston of Spartanburg, SC; son John Sullivan Johnston (Stephanie) of Johns Island, SC; daughter, Happy Johnston Walden (Trey) of Charleston, SC and grandchildren Maddox Johnston, Josey Jennings and Jackson Jennings.

The family will hold a private service in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Spartanburg, SC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wofford College, 429 North Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29303-3663 or online at www.wofford.edu/give  or College of Charleston, 66 George Street, Charleston, SC  29424 or online at www.give.cofc.edu/donate.  

Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel