In Loving Memory of Donald Robert Johnson

Donald 'Don' Johnson, 91 was born on September 21, 1935 in Manteca, California to parents William Jasper Johnson and Evelyn Lauritson Johnson. He passed on October 20, 2026 in Kimberling City, MO.

He met the love of his life, Marjorie Ann Washburn when they were both attending Modesto Junior College. He recalled the moment he saw her sitting on the grass talking with friends and was instantly attracted to her. In his words, “Marrying her was the best decision I made in my life”. When they married on September 8, 1957, he was 21 and she was 19. Their entire adult lives were spent together and took them all over the country, living in California, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Tennessee, and finally Missouri.

He enjoyed building things and could fix almost anything. Model airplanes were a great passion in his life. Don always loved model airplanes and had them hanging from wires in his bedroom as a child. As an adult, building model airplanes continued to be his hobby and love. Rather than just building the model airplane from the kit, he sanded down each piece of plastic or balsa depending on the model, airbrush painted them and applied decals realistic to the actual airplane. Later in life, he switched to larger remote-control airplanes and was involved for many years in an RC airplane club. His grandchildren remember fondly going to the flying field and flying airplanes with him.

Don was an integral part of his neighborhood community. He served many terms as homeowner association president and was very dedicated to the function and maintenance of the neighborhood well.

He was surrounded by the love and comfort of his family and friends in his final days. He joins those that have preceded him, including his parents and his brother, Melvin Johnson. He is survived by his loving partner of 69 years, Marj Johnson, his children Greg (Maryjune) Johnson, Cheryl (Rhea) Gustafson, and grandchildren Ryan James Gustafson and Erika Kate Gustafson.

No celebration of life is planned at this time. Cremation was under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home, Kimberling City, MO.

Always in our memories, always on our minds.