Christopher Wilds Johnston

Christopher Wilds Johnston died unexpectedly at home in Chattanooga on May 16 2026. Born August 18, 1955, he was a lifelong resident of Chattanooga. He attended high school at Westtown School in Pennsylvania and held a B.A. in Architecture from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.

He is survived by his brother David Chambliss Johnston of New York, sister Margaret Hannah of South Carolina, nieces and nephews, great nephews and a great niece. He was predeceased by his parents, Margaret Chambliss Johnston and James Lamont Johnston and three brothers, James Lamont Johnston, Jr., Samuel Alexander Johnston, and Robert Crampton Johnston, all of Chattanooga.

After earning his B.A., Christopher worked as an architect for a number of years and later worked for various retailers and other businesses. He liked fine clothes and had excellent aesthetic sensibilities. He developed outstanding calligraphy during his architectural training and retained it throughout his life. He enjoyed early morning walks, especially when his late dog Arthur and Arthur’s predecessor Billie were alive. He was an avid consumer of local and national news. He was a well-recognized presence in North Chattanooga, where he lived most of his life.

Christopher remained close to several friends from Westtown School for his entire adult life. He often joined a weekly discussion group of former Westtown students and enjoyed telephone conversations with others. He rode Chattanooga buses frequently, served for a time on the CARTA Citizen Advisory Board, and befriended drivers. He was generous with people less fortunate than he was and treated them with dignity, often conversing with persons who lived on the streets and serving lunches at the Chattanooga Foundation.

Christoper became interested in the Society of Friends (Quakers) at Westtown and joined the Chattanooga Friends Meeting soon after returning to Chattanooga in the early 1980s. He was active in the Friends Meeting and served on various committees, including the Ministry and Nurture Committee.

Caretaking for others was central to Christopher’s identity. He assisted his mother almost daily for many years when his older brother James was debilitated by a

degenerative autoimmune disorder and assisted with his mother’s care when she became unable to fully care for herself. He was exceptionally close to his mother, to his younger brother Robert, whose death at the early age of 23 was devastating to Christopher, and to his friend Stephen Banks. He suffered many losses, especially of beloved family members, but remained resilient for many years.

Christopher will be remembered at the Friends Meeting House at 335 Crestway Drive, Chattanooga on Saturday, October 3 at 2 p.m. All of his friends are welcome to attend.