Mark Johnston, 73, of Lubbock, Texas, passed away on May 20, 2025. He was born in Victorville, Calif., raised in Amarillo, Texas, but he called Lubbock home for the past 40 years.
After graduating from Palo Duro High School in 1969, Mark earned a master’s degree in mathematics with a minor in psychology from WTSU.
A pioneer in the field of information systems, he began his career as an account manager with Burroughs Corp. He later launched a consulting business and worked throughout the Southwest in mainframe systems engineering, systems analysis, white-hat hacking and project management.
He founded Ki Corp and co-founded Arisbe Associates, serving clients in finance, healthcare, government, military contracting and information warfare. Mark held multiple certifications in data processing and systems management and was respected for his expertise in cybersecurity and systems design.
A devout Christian, Mark attended First Baptist and Victory in Praise churches in Lubbock. A lifelong student of philosophy and world religions, he studied Tibetan Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, Sufism, Taoism, Vedanta, Raja Yoga, Kenneth Laine Ketnerism, and various Christian traditions. He was also a Freemason, Scottish and York Rite Mason and a Shriner. His martial arts pursuits included Aikido, Kendo and Gumdo.
Mark was deeply involved in his community. He served on numerous boards and advisory councils, including the Lubbock County Drug Court Advisory Board, Cherry Point Neighborhood Association and the Lubbock Homeless Consortium. He volunteered as a hospice caregiver and technical advisor for the Texas Gang Intelligence Association. He was a member of the TTU Chancellor’s Council and the Lubbock Rotary Club, where he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. Mark also belonged to Mensa and Intertel.
An avid adventurer, Mark was active in many local, regional, and national speleological societies, leading cave exploration and mapping expeditions throughout the southwestern US.
Of all his accomplishments, Mark was most proud of being a father to his daughter, Anna. He often said his life’s direction changed the day she was born. His mission was to protect her and love her without measure — a mission he succeeded.
Mark is survived by his daughter, Anna Johnston of Lubbock; sister, Dolores Arndt of Dafter, Mich.; brothers Dale (Carolyn) Johnston, Greg Johnston and David Waddle, all of Amarillo; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Cordelia Johnston, and his brother, Steve Johnston.
Mark was filled with extreme happiness and was cursed with the compulsion to share it with everyone. He never met a stranger and was determined to turn everyone into his friend. He will be remembered for his intellect, faith, compassion, and boundless joy. He will be profoundly missed.
