Don Johnson

Donald Melvin Johnson was born to Algot Melvin Johnson and Helen Louise (Colvin) Johnson on March 31, 1937 in Rockford, Illinois and passed away on October 29, 2021 at the age of 84 years.

Don was preceded in death by his parents Al and Helen Johnson, sister Patricia Mae Johnson, son Robert Clinton Johnson, and first wife Judith Loraine Johnson.

Survivors include his wife Frankye of Valley View, TX, daughter Christine Gahan and husband Jim of Panama, step-daughters Alana Simmons of Valley View, Alisa Estwick and husband R.C. of Justin, TX, Brandi Green and husband Wayne of Paoli, OK, grandchildren Zachary and Makayla Green of Paoli, and many cousins and friends.

Don graduated from the School of Mines in Golden, CO with a Professional Petroleum Engineer degree and has drilled wells throughout the United States and countries of Yemen and Kazakhstan. Don was a member of the 4 Mile Club (that is he drilled 4 miles deep). One of Don’s passions was fishing for tools and pipe lost while drilling.

Don was a mechanic on the Nevada Test Site, worked to build Highway 1 in California, worked as a surveyor while he was in school and later, and was a heavy equipment operator. He enjoyed problem solving and putting things together.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorial contributions made to First Baptist Church of Gainesville, TX for the Texas Baptist Children’s Home and/or Texas Baptist Men.