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Donald Arthur Johnson (11/15/1945 – 10/16/2023)
Don passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loving family on October 16th, 2023. He was born on November 15, 1945 in Spokane, Washington to Carl “Raymond” Johnson and Bertha Johnson. He spent his childhood on Spokane’s South Hill. He attended and graduated from Jefferson Elementary, Sacajawea Middle School, and Lewis & Clark High School (Class of 1964). He and his older brother, Jerry Johnson, grew up competing in many sports (predominantly golf, basketball, baseball, and table tennis). The whole family had a particular affinity for golf, and they played countless rounds together at Manito Country Club, where they were long time members. Some of his memorable childhood athletic accomplishments were City of Spokane table tennis champion, point guard of the Lewis & Clark basketball team, and various golf championships across the city, state, and nation. Upon graduation from high school, Don attended the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. He graduated in 1968. He was the first member of his family to attend college. In addition to being a cadet, he was a member and captain of the golf team. His golf highlights at West Point included Champion at the Eastern Intercollegiate Golf Association Championship (1966), NCAA National Tournament Qualifier (1966 & 1967), and NCAA All America Honorable Mention (1966). Don was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army in 1968. He served 20 years as a decorated Army Officer earning the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon. His Army career included: a combat tour of duty in Vietnam, earning his master’s degree from Purdue University, and other assignments in Seattle, WA, El Paso, TX, West Point, NY, Germany, and Washington D.C. His final assignment was to lead the ROTC department at Washington State University in Pullman, WA as a lieutenant colonel, completed in 1988. Don married Louanne (Atkinson) Johnson in 1971 in Fort Collins, CO. Don met Louanne on a blind date at West Point. He described meeting her as love at first sight, having been enamored by her smile. The couple had two children, Carl Johnson and Heidi Johnson. The nomadic Army family formed a close bond by traversing the world for Don’s military assignments. Don’s retirement began in Pullman, WA. He divided his time between family, playing golf, and selling real estate. In 1996, Don and Louanne moved to Louanne’s hometown of Fort Collins, CO. There he spent his time playing golf, teaching GED math, and spending more time with his extended family. He found immense pleasure in watching his son and daughter begin their own families. Don welcomed his daughter-in-law, Tanya Johnson into the family in 2002 and his son-in-law, Rick Hobbs in 2006, followed by three grandchildren: Olivia Johnson, Timmy Johnson, and Dori Hobbs. A final move to Colorado Springs, CO occurred in 2019 to be closer to his daughter’s family. Don succumbed to complications from Multiple Myeloma presumed to be caused by exposure to Agent Orange during his tour in Vietnam. He survived with Multiple Myeloma for more than 12 years, far exceeding the average life expectancy at the time of his diagnosis. Don received an allogeneic stem cell transplant in 2013 from Tanja Wohlfeil. She became family after her selfless sacrifice extending Don’s life. Don will be remembered by those who knew and loved him by his exemplary dedication to a life of service to nation, family, neighbors and friends. Don lived a life of decency, honor, humility and integrity. He taught those around him “what right looks like” through example as he lived by the motto “Troops eat first.” For those wishing to continue his legacy of service to others, his family requests donations in his honor be made to Tee it Up for the Troops, Pete Gross House via Fred Hutch Center or International Myeloma Foundation. Don’s family is finalizing plans for a Celebration of Life in Spokane, WA sometime in Spring or Summer of 2024.
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Frank King
Knew Don since I was a 7th grader. I admired him then, because we both played basketball. When I finally got to HS via Hamblen and Sacsjawea, we became great friends and teammates. He golfed and I played baseball and we went our separate ways. Always to meet up again for basketball season. I called Don periodically when he told me he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. That was 10 years ago. What a fighter. I can't think of a guy I admired more than Don. Rest in peace my friend. See ya soon.William Lowell Yeend
Don Johnson was amazing! Great athete, good student, good looking...and just a quality human being. I reconnected with Don after his multiple myeloma treatment at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle. We shared meals with our spouses, exchanged lots of childhood memories and managed a few golf team reunions(Don's great swing never changed.) I remember nearly falling off my chair when I stumbled into his picture in Sports Illustrated after he won a big East coast tournament while at West Point. I think every girl at LC had a crush on Don, but he just looked the other way until Louanne came along. What a beautiful family they have. I am deeply saddened that he's no longer with us, but very proud and happy that I can call him a valued, very close friend.
Sheri Jill Ellis
What a sad loss of quite an amazing athlete and amazing person. I played golf with Donny in high school in a few mixed doubles golf matches. Great fun to play golf with that handsome boy! I was playing golf with him at Downriver Golf Course when my ball hit a bird mid air and dropped to the ground. That kinda ruined my shot on that hole. We laughed about it many times. I admired how he led his life with courage and love for his family. So long my friend.
Terry Sullivan
Oh what a gift Donnie was to my life since we met as sixth graders at Jefferson! He and Bill Sadler were the first ones who got my attention after Manito Primary’s fifth grade merged into one of the largest elementary schools in our state. Donnie was, hands-down, The Best at everything he did, including friendship and character. I speak for so many who knew him when I say that. In grade school, I and others were always in his shadow whether it was football, basketball, track, baseball, golf, marbles, tetherball, 4-square, penmanship, grades, ping pong, yo-yos, natural coolness, authenticity, friendliness, integrity, popularity and being well-known. He was my hero. The I think he got a haircut every 2 weeks because his hair was always just right.
Don McKay coached us Jefferson Comets to be superior athletes in several sports. He taught us fundamentals but Donnie already had those traits in his DNA. In basketball we were the guards, so I remember the focus he had on the rim when I set a screen for him or passed it to him. It was almost always a basket. He must’ve made 95% of his free throws! He was the one we (including Terry Bone, Bill Sadler, Dave Johansen, Kenny Hahn and Hayen twins) would pass to when we needed points. He would make 20 points regularly. Remarkable confidence for his age! But he was always humble and a Team Player who did his part to get the win. His basketball skills must’ve been intimitadating to the other teams. He should’ve named him Automatic.
He was the point guard, quarterback, short stop, #3 or 4 in the batting order and the guy everyone wanted for Second Captain First Chose. At that age, we didn’t identify Donnie’s numerous attributes but we knew he had the “it factor.” I felt special to be his friend during those years. Being around better players and persons makes YOU better. Our connectivity diminished after eighth grade. He and other 1960 graduates of Jefferson’s final 8th grade class went to Sac or LC, and I started at G Prep - a world away it seemed then - and hung out mainly with my new Northside buddies. We resumed our interaction as sophomores in basketball at the Coliseum games. I guarded him and took it serious because of his shooting ability. I was a little bigger and had developed my game without him overshadowing me - for the first time, Years later, he said I was trash-talking him on the court and using elbows to screen him out after a shot. Maybe...because I still knew how good he was and didn’t want him to think he still could outdo me. I was surprised he didn’t shoot as much as I expected. Maybe he needed Sqinty’s ok for that. He was always a good soldier on a talented team that won the state basketball tournament. His play helped Lobdell, Tom Swanson, Frank King, Brigham and other Tigers elevate their game.
While he was at West Point, we stayed in touch by phone. When he became the ROTC Colonel at WSU, he, Louanne, Kathleen and I saw each other regularly in Spokane and Pullman for WSU football and basketball games. He is the reason I got included in the LC Reunions before they moved to Colorado where Louanne’s mother needed her and Donnie. He was diagnosed in 2011 with multiple myeloma and underwent treatment that would have taken others down. Because of Louanne’s unwaivering love and support, Donnie’s positive attitude and determination, his remission lasted longer than the norm. MM cannot be cured so he had to stay on chemo maintenance drugs until recently. They contained the cancer but the side effects were uncomfortable. He didn’t complain or want a pity party. He was one of the mentors who guided me thru my cancer in 2018 - while he was still taking chemo maintenance drugs. I sensed his decline over the last year when we FaceTimed and spoke by phone, His mental function was superb and he was always “up” when we talked about old friends from Spokane, GU basketball, local sports, and the Cougs. When we last talked the Saturday before he left us, he told me hadn’t returned my previous call because he didn’t want to let me know he d been in Home Hospice Care for 2 weeks. Talking took some effort but he asked about the Cougar game we were driving to. After my answer, his parting words were we’ll let you know about the next development and Go Cougs! Mine were I love you, Donnie! Thank you for being such a good friend.
He is still my hero! I look forward to when Louanne brings his ashes to spread in Spokane this summer. See you on the other side, DJ.
Molly Susan McLellan (Bennion)
Thanks for all these lovely tributes to Donnie. A special thank you to you, Terry, for taking the time to write such a great and newsy tribute. Donnie was unquestionably the star of our large Jefferson contingent.
Karen Ann Kitzke (Wiggins)
Reading the wonderful comments and extreme love being shown for Donny has given me the incentive to write as well. As so many other girls, I had a huge crush on that "good looking blonde guy". How lucky I was to be in the same home room with him and get to know him better. Always such a gentleman and so nice to everyone, he was even more then "good looking". One of my dearest memories is when I tried out for Ti-Girls and didn't make it. Reading those words early in the morning basically broke my heart. I was so upset as I sat in home room. Mr. Schoening and Donny both came over to me, patted me on my shoulder, and told me that things would work out. There were better times coming. I so appreciated their comforting words. That is exactly what Don Johnson was- A truly exceptional person, kind and caring, a privilege to know.
Linda Anne Lord (Lord-Johnson)
Donnie was my 1st date ever! (I think it was in the Spring of 8th grade.) He took me to a dance at Manito Country Club where our families had golf memberships. We were both so shy we hardly said 2 words to each other all night........but I still loved that date! During college if I ever wanted "Donnie news" I'd ask my Mom to check up on him when she played golf with Donnie's Mom. The LC Reunion where he wore his military uniform was a big hit with all of us! He was a stand-up guy, admired by everyone.
Bradley Paul Erickson
Don was a great guy that I looked up to starting in grade school. We played basketball (I was tall and he was really good). We played golf together in high school and we all enjoyed his leadership on the team.
We lost track of each other but reconnected when I married his wife LuLu’s cousin. We became closer when retired and had good times together. He was a kind and brave soul who I was happy to call a good friend.