Emmett V. Johnston, 83, longtime Alaskan and resident of Fairbanks, passed away surrounded by his loving family Oct. 28, 2016. The third of eight children, Emmett was born on Christmas Day in Scenic, South Dakota.While serving in the U.S. Air Force, he met and married Charmaine Latterell in 1955. First stationed in Reykjavik, Iceland, then Panama City, Florida, Emmett was eventually stationed in Anchorage in 1959, where their lifelong love of Alaska began. In 1967, Emmett joined the restoration efforts in Fairbanks in the wake of the Chena flood. Charmaine and their three daughters soon joined him and the family decided to make their home in Fairbanks.Emmett earned his pilot's license and was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed boating, hunting and fishing at the family cabin on the Goodpaster River. He was employed in the HVAC industry for 50 years, most recently for the Fairbanks School District.He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mildred, Virginia and Carol; and brothers Ray, Charles, Warren and Gary.He is survived by his wife, Charmaine; daughters Corie O'Reilly and husband Richard Bissonette, of Nashville, Tennessee; Renee and Craig Kenmonth, of Fairbanks; and Tamara Johnston, of Fairbanks; as well as four grandchildren: Megan O'Reilly Green, Scotty and Jessica Kenmonth and Kellen Mueller; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.The family would like to extend thanks and gratitude to the staff of Hospice of Tanana Valley for their excellent care.Please visit www.legacy.com/obituaries/newsminer to sign an online guest book.