Donald H Johnson was born September 2, 1944 to George H and Pauline (Shields) Johnson in Parsons Kansas.
Don is survived by his daughters Kim Helzer of Winfield KS and Shannon Rouse of Solomon KS. Sister Paula Woods of Cold Springs Texas, brothers Kenny (Stick) of Salina KS, Larry of Burlington KS, and Gary of Lexington OK. Grandchildren Zach, Jacob, James, Avery, Erin, and 3 great grandchildren.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, brother Paul, and wives Ann (Johnson) and Mary (Tabor).
Don’s parents moved to Augusta Ks in 1953, in 1954 Don’s dad taught him three cords on his guitar and Don’s love for music started playing anything with strings.
Don graduated from Augusta KS high school in 1962, after graduation Don joined the Marines and reported to boot camp on July 18th.
After finishing boot camp Don was stationed at camp Pendleton and assigned to Alpha Battery of the 1st Battalion/11th Marines artillery division. Then one day they asked for volunteers to go to Hawaii and Don volunteered where he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion/12th Marines 4.2” mortar battery. Don thought he was volunteering for a two-year assignment, after one year when what they thought was another practice mount on a ship, they did not turn around and ended up in Okinawa, Japan. The next stop was Vietnam from 1965-1966, while there he was in three major operations Starlite, Piranha and Harvest Moon. Don then returned to camp Lejeune and was honorably discharged in Oct. 1966.
Don returned to Kansas and began working as a Sheet Metal Mechanic and playing in bands. He then met and married Mary Tabor on April 10, 1967 in Towanda Kansas. During their 19 years of marriage they were blessed with the births of their two daughters Kim and Shannon.
Don’s love of music took him on the road at times playing for various bands, he had his own band Nightlife for over 10 years. Don joined the Freemason’s in 1975 and was raised to Scottish Rite.
Don’s hobby’s included riding his Harley Davidson, woodworking where his favorite thing was to make Harley Davidson rocking motorcycles, and playing golf where you could find him and brother Stick on the course whenever the weather would allow them, and then sometimes even when it wouldn’t.
Don met Ann Johnson and while Don was on the road playing, they were married on July 20, 1987 in Quartzite AZ. Don and Annie enjoyed 26 years of marriage until her death in 2013.
Don continued be an active member of the Mason’s, VFW, American Legion, CVMA (Combat Veteran Motorcycle Association) and to play for various bands until health would not allow him too.
Celebration of Don’s life will be held at Salina Heights Christian Church, Salina KS at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, April 27, 2019. The family will receive friends from 11:30 until service time at the church. Inurnment of Don and Ann ashes will follow at Highland Cemetery, New Cambria. i
Memorials can be made to Salina Heights Christian Church, Reno County Hospice, or Dickenson County Hospice. Carlson-Becker Funeral Home of Solomon KS is in charge of Funeral arrangements.