F. Claiborne Johnston Jr. ’64

Jay died March 31, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C., after two years of a debilitating illness. He was a lifelong resident of Richmond, Va.

Jay graduated from Douglas Freeman High School, along with classmates Bill Marmon and Bill Mears, where he was quarterback and captain of the football team and student council president.

At Princeton, he majored in history, writing his thesis on “The Ratification of the Federal Constitution.” He was a member and president of Cottage Club.

In 1967, he graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law and joined the Coast Guard Reserve for six months active duty. In 1968, he joined the Richmond firm Mays & Valentine (now Troutman, Pepper, Locke), became a partner in 1972, and for an additional 37 years practiced corporate, securities, and banking law. He was active in numerous professional organizations, including the Virginia Bar Association, where he served as president.

Outside the practice of law, he developed a growing fascination with genealogy. Among many genealogical projects, he co-authored a still authoritative volume on birth, marriage, and death records of early residents of the Bahamas. He was appointed board chair of the Library of Virginia by two governors, one Republican and one Democrat.

Our class extends its condolences to his wife, Carolyn; their children, Angier and Claiborne; and four grandchildren.