Obituary of Donald N. Johnson

Don Johnson was born April 11, 1947, in Bonne Terre, Mo., to the late Forrest Johnson and Maxine Womble. He departed this life on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at the St. James Veterans Home, St. James, Missouri, at the age of 69. Don is survived by his wife, Julia; brother, Terry of Arizona; sister, Lynda (Petie) McCorkle of Park Hills, Mo.; his three children, Don of Valley Park, Missouri., Matt of Bonne Terre, Missouri., and Missey of Doniphan, Missouri.; and one stepson, Nathan Harvill of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by one son, Jeffery, and stepson, Justin Harvill. He served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War as a jet engine mechanic and was proud that he had worked on the famous “Jolly Green” helicopters that flew rescue and recovery missions during the war. He was a lifetime member of the Licking VFW post 6337 and a Mason. Don worked for the mines in Sullivan, Missouri, where he was known as “Motor the Loader” and to those who knew him that was a totally appropriate name for a man who had never met a stranger and who could talk your leg off. He then worked 22 years for the Missouri Department of Corrections as a Correctional Officer II. Don loved to trout fish and spent many hours on the Current River and at Montauk. He enjoyed spending time with his friends, whether it was as fishing buddies or as “chicken pen” builders. He could always be counted on to lend a hand to his friends and will be missed by those whose lives he touched.