JOHNNY LISTER
(1922-1983)

Johnny Lister was an American astrologer from Boise, Idaho, much loved by his peers for his generosity and sunny personality. He was a favorite speaker at national conferences and much involved in the formation of AFAN, the Association for Astrological Networking. The story of his part in that chapter of our history is told below, in Ray Merriman's tribute. To commemorate and honor him, AFAN subsequently established the Johnny Lister Fund to raise money for astrologers in need.

BIRTH AND DEATH DATA: Mercury hour, July 1983, gave the following, from his memory, rated A. He was born on October 14, 1922, at 9:30 AM MST in Missoula, MT. He died of leukemia, specifically a tumor of the liver, on January 18, 1983.

With a strong stellium in Libra in the eleventh house, Johnny loved his friends and organizations and very much wanted to create warmth and harmony within them. The stellium consisted of a conjunction of the Sun, Mercury, and Jupiter, all in a seven degree range, and of Saturn, nine degrees away from the Sun. His Moon was in lively, magnanimous Leo in the ninth, making him a fine teacher with stage presence. Neptune in Leo, also in the ninth, closely squared his Scorpio Ascendant.

TRIBUTES FROM MERCURY HOUR, 7/1983:

Raymond A. Merriman wrote:

"To many of us who knew and loved Johnny Lister, he was more than just a man: he was and still is a symbol and a model for what we might become, both as an individual and as a community. Throughout his life, and especially during the course of the last year, his teachings and his actions reflected the one thing he constantly believed in: "Love Ye one another." Seeing people of his profession (astrology) coming together and working cooperatively for the ideals he and they shared with one another, was one of the most significant experiences of his life.

"In August of 1982, at the Aquarian Revelation Center's seminar in Michigan, discussions began for a movement to network professional astrologers with one another across the world, discussions in which Johnny played a very major role in shaping. At that time he said, "For the first time in my life, Ray, I feel like I've found my family. All my life I have been looking for this. If I don't live to see another day, I know now that it's all been worth it."

"The words may not be exact, but those three thoughts were the gist of a man who at that moment was emotionally and perhaps spiritually moved, who seemed to be sensing something special and remarkable about to unfold, both for himself and for the profession he so loved.

"That "Special feeling" carried over the next week in Chicago at the AFA convention. Those who attended his classes--and there were hundreds--were quite moved by Johnny. His speeches had always been good, but these were even more beautiful than before. Many people commented on a special quality they felt about Johnny as he spoke.

"His role and activity during the AFA convention was not limited only to his presentations. Johnny, like several hundred of his profession, had something more on his mind. This was one of the few occasions where so many would be together, and it presented a challenge for astrologers to truly band together for the good of the whole profession. Johnny was instrumental in helping to organize the AFA Network, to become known as AFAN.

"More important, and perhaps known only to him at the time, he was to assume the single-most catalytic role in that movement in the days ahead. The Network meetings closed with the choosing of seven persons who would serve as a negotiating committee. Johnny was one of the seven chosen to serve his profession.

"Within days, and perhaps only hours after this important gathering ("monumental" might be more appropriate, for it did mark the first time that professional astrologers to our knowledge ever came together with such a strong sense of common purpose), Johnny's role transformed to that of something greater than just a man. Upon returning to his home in Boise, he collapsed, was taken to the hospital, and diagnosed as having an acute and terminal case of leukemia.

"Immediately, the very Network that he helped found went into action to help him. And it should not be assumed that it was just the Network in a formal sense, for it involved other organizations like NCGR and professional astrologers throughout the world who were not even yet aware of the movement Johnny co-created.

"Helping Johnny Lister receive the best treatment possible became a cause around which astrologers and students of astrology rallied themselves. Thousands of dollars were donated as a result of the efforts of numerous colleagues of Johnny. Never in the modern history of astrology have so many of this profession centered themselves on such a single issue.

"And the remarkable thing about it is that the working harmony, the mutual cooperation, represent the very things that Johnny Lister strived to achieve throughout his life, and in particular these final days. Johnny Lister was as gracious and inspirational in these last few days as he was his entire life. He fought the ailment with courage and hope. In the midst of the healing crisis, he was liberated. His personal experience is in itself a reflection of the community he identified himself with during his last six months.

"He lived to help his profession liberate itself from a state of dis-ease and dis-cord. He envisioned astrologers as part of a loving, caring family, who could and would work in mutual cooperation with one another. To this end, he put forth great effort, and lived to see the dawning of this dream become reality. And, as sometimes is the case with truly remarkable people, Johnny was able to die for this same dream.

"He was, indeed more than a man. To those of us who have had the joy and privilege of knowing him, Johnny Lister will always be a model of what we might become both individually and collectively. May his efforts upon Earth bring forth into form, that which he envisioned, for future generations. And may his life serve as an inspiration to all of us in our life."

Marcia Starck, writing in Mercury Hour:

"Johnny Lister was always a center of light in the astrological community. He gave a maximum of his time and energy to all who needed it; his smile and his hugs were always there and he never based the energy he put out on monetary considerations. He gave where there was need. (That's why he so often took trains instead of flying.)

"His way of handling his work enhanced the professional status of astrology; he was truly a Libran, in the highest sense, balancing the love and the wisdom, the emotions and the intellect. On the more spiritual side, Johnny was a catalyst and teacher for all of us. He helped to unite the astrological community in a way it has never been united before. Thank you, Johnny, for guiding us and helping us to that end!"

MARION MARCH, writing in Mercury Hour:

"I was fortunate to talk to Johnny Lister before his passing away, and his attitude toward life and death was an inspiration. He was a gentle and loving man, and I was happy that he did not have to suffer too long. His two sons seemed to feel that way, happy for Johnny and grateful to have had him as friend and father. What more of a tribute can a father wish for?"

Mimi Torchia Boothby wrote for this memorial:

"Johnny Lister gave me my start in Astrology. he was incredibly intuitive. With consultations and classes, he showed us the way. Years after he died, we found a tape he had made me for a consultation, and we played it, and were very impressed with what he said. When he said it, we didn't "buy" it, but 10 or more years later, we could see he was right on!"

 

I had the distinct pleasure of accompanying Johnny Lister, as the driver of the Rabbit, to what I believe was one of his last talks in Sun Valley, ID in the spring of 1983.  Johnny had been a very loving and healing force in my life and it was my pleasure to accompany him and to help him in any way that I could.  I will always remember Johnny Lister and his friends Thomas Kirk and Gail “Dutch” Perigo as the men that saved my life.

When I had first met Johnny through Tom Kirk, I was a suicidal 15 year old looking for sharpest and most rebellious escape I could execute.  Through Tom and Johnny’s direct intervention, counseling and metaphysical treatments from Dutch, I was able to survive my teens as a gay adolescent in Boise, Idaho and succeed in my life.  Had it not been for Johnny’s wisdom, love and his network within the metaphysical community, I believe I would not be here today to share this memoriam.  I am eternally grateful for having known a man as rich as Johnny Lister who gave of himself so freely and with such love.

With loving respect,

Terrence Dalton
9/14/1965 1:10AM PST – Tahoe Valley, California

Memorials L-Z, Continued
To Memorials A-K

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CREDITS: Biographical information for this memorial came from AstroDatabank and Mercury Hour. The photo came from Pat Graf. The background, part of a set of the twelve signs, was designed by Robin's Web. This memorial was created by Donna Cunningham.