Don Johnson

Don Johnson, 84, transitioned to eternal life on July 1, 2024.One of five sons born to Herbert and Margaret Johnson, Don learned from a young age that success in life required hard work and perseverance. He enjoyed sports in high school, excelling in basketball.Don met Janet (Stoltz) while in High School and they married in 1961 in Wichita, Kansas. He earned his college degree while taking night classes at WSU and working during the day. During this time, he and his wife Janet had a newborn, Jennifer their eldest child. Don was an incredible grandpa to his grandsons Thomas, Matthew and Noah. Whether it was pushing them on the backyard swing to heights that made the boys laugh and their parents shudder, taking them to the Ninnescah River and catching frogs, attending their football games and cheering loudly or simply giving them big hugs when they came to visit, he was in his element as a grandpa. He regularly reminded them of the importance of the“Spend, Save, Share” approach, and immediately tithed any income received. He enjoyed reading about history and enjoyed collecting coins. His children remember how he used to give them and their friends two pennies for every “Wheat Penny” they could find. He loved sailing at Cheney Reservoir with his brother-in-law, Wayne. Don’s oldest child Jennifer suffered a traumatic brain injury due to complications from a tonsillectomy when she was 16. Don and Janet were dedicated to the care and support of Jennifer and he worked hard to provide for his family.Prior to working for Prudential, Don was the Manager at a John Deere dealership in Oklahoma. He enjoyed “bargaining” with farmers over the price of a tractor and would often flip a coin to determine the price and close the deal.When his wife Janet was coordinating schedules for Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist, Don signed up for a hard to fill 4:00 a.m. slot and kept it for years. In past parishes he had been a lector and Eucharistic Minister.He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 62 years; Janet (Stoltz); his grandson, Abraham Higginbotham; and his brothers, Jerry, Daryl, Bill and Johnny. He is survived by daughters, Jennifer Johnson of Colwich, Kansas, Amy Johnson Horn (Schuyler) of Silverdale, Washington, Emily Johnson Higginbotham (David and grandson, Thomas) of Fort Smith, Arkansas; and son, Michael Johnson (Julie and grandsons, Matthew and Noah) of Islamorada, Florida.Rosary will be at 1:00 pm, Funeral Mass will be at 1:30 pm, Friday, September 13, 2024, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Burial will be at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Cemetery, Schulte.Memorials have been established with: A Better Choice, 3007 E. Central Ave., Wichita, KS 67214; Union Rescue Mission, 2800 N. Hillside St., Wichita, KS 67219; Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 124 N. Roosevelt, Wichita, KS 67208.Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.