Donnell Earle Johnson

As other of our classmates have posted, we have lost another very special friend. It hurts and is sad that Donnell will no longer be with us at our quarterly lunches and other gatherings. As many others who have posted, our friendship goes way, way back to the time that Raleigh was a small town and it seemed like we all knew everyone at school, in the neighborhoods and at church. Years after high school, I asked Don to help me evaluate some property that I was interested in. He was very helpful and frequently asked me about it even years later. I admired the way he handled his sickness and various "recoveries" he had to endure. He was always positive and upbeat with me, despite whatever process or treatment he was going through at the time. Donnell was truely on of the GOOD GUYS in every way. He will be missed but not forgotten.

Well, Pal...I wish you the best on your new journey. I always enjoyed my (too short) walk with you for 62 3/4 years. We laughed a LOT, and we both told stories to each other that would really interest a stranger who had never experienced the adventures & the places we traveled...though most of our travels were on different paths. When I first showed up at Daniel's Jr. High in September '63, I knew 0 people. I soon met you & Frank Holt & Belton Jones & Debby Renn. You & I became immediate friends and never looked back. Donnell, you went to a LOT of great music shows. You & I & Frank saw the original Rolling Stones in Raleigh on 11/05/65 - $4.00??You went to great blues festivals & I always enjoyed your & Judy's stories about the artists & how they sounded & looked & the whole scene of the festival(s). Your (& Judy's) knowledge of the blues (& lots of deep & obscure stuff) helped me learn about blues artists I had never seen or even heard of. We could always talk easily about music...and I always  learned from your experiences. You were a GOOD man with a good heart and had a great family. For many years it wasn't "Don"...it was "Don & Judy"...what a great couple. I know you are still alive - just in a different place. It makes me happy to know that you are doing okay; probably pretty good, actually. Hmmm....I see here that your last entry in this space was a birthday greeting to me...WOW - WHAT an honor??Thanks for being my friend, Pal. ??

Don and I were friends since Daniels Jr HighSchool., probably in Mrs. Fletchers latin class and definitely all the road trips with the Broughton marching band. Riding around in a car drinking beer with the usual suspects because we had nowhere to go because we were underage.....  Never a harsh word with anybody, always friendly ,cheerful and a fun guy to hang out with. Friends for over 60 years.  I'll miss him.

Posted on: Dec 17, 2024 at 12:03 PM

It's a nice day for a celebration. Very inspiring. Let's all sing Happy Birthday to the Music Man !!

Congratulations on lots of candles. THANK YOU (and Nancy) for your service to our Class of '67!

Posted on: Dec 17, 2023 at 6:09 PM

Big Day for the music man !! (although a little rainy) Keep making the muisic.

63 orbits around the sun completed! Congrats! Looking forward to the celebration!
Bring your sax.

BIG DAY for Doctor Darvy !! Hope you can still blow out all those candles. And thanks for all the medical advice over the many years!
Donnell

Posted on: Jan 27, 2021 at 8:23 PM

when we were kids in the 'hood, we shared birthday parties. Hope you got icing and ice cream on your face again today, my friend!

The Sands were great! Keep on drumming

Hope you have a BIG day, Felix! As I remember, you played native American Squanto while I played pilgrim Wm Bradford in the 6th-grade play. Are you still acting or playing that tenor saxophone? What fun!

Posted on: Jul 28, 2020 at 5:33 PM

Barbara, THANK YOU for your support of NBHS Class o'67 activities and gatherings. Hope your special day was special!