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DONALD JOHN JOHNSON (DON)
Born: Jun 22, 1945
Date of Passing: Oct 26, 2022
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
DONALD JOHN JOHNSON
June 22, 1945 – October 26, 2022
It is with deep sorrow we announce that Don passed away at home at the age of 77 years old.
Don was born Donald John Milne to parents Doris Elizabeth (née Robertson) and George Christie Milne in Winnipeg. His father passed away before he was six months old. When he was three, Doris married Charles Elmer Theodore Johnson and they moved to his farm in Domain. Charles legally adopted Don making him a Johnson. From a very young age, Don loved the farm and his affection for the lifestyle and the community only grew over the years.
After attending the University of Manitoba for Agriculture and Education degrees, Don began his career teaching high school in Lowe Farm and Glenboro. It was in Glenboro where he met his match in fellow teacher Daphne Fowler. They married in 1976 and returned to Domain. That same year Don became a Sessional Instructor at the University of Manitoba in Biosystems Engineering. He taught Farm Power and Farm Machinery, spanning over five decades before his retirement in 2013. He was well respected by his colleagues and a favourite amongst his students, who presented him with 15 teaching awards over his 37 year tenure.
Don had a curious, active mind and was constantly challenging himself. As a young man, he acquired his pilot's license and enjoyed many evenings flying over Domain. At the age of 50, he decided to take up a musical instrument. Much to the surprise of his mother and the agony of his children, he selected the bagpipes. After several years of practice he joined the Anavet 303 pipe band, playing with them for nearly 20 years. He enjoyed performing in parades and events across the province as well as at Folklorama with his bandmates. Never allowing his mind to sit still, Don enjoyed taking conversational French classes in Ste. Agathe with Daphne after his retirement. He would spend time each day watching Jeopardy shouting out the answers, doing crosswords, and playing chess and solitaire. He was also a member of the Scottish Gentlemen's Club and enjoyed the friends he made there and the camaraderie of the St. Andrew's Day Dinner and New Year's Levee.
Don was passionate about his community. He was a proud member of the Avonlea United Church and carried his faith firmly and quietly. Over the years, he volunteered on the Avonlea Church Board, the Domain Recreation Club Board, the Domain Co-Op Board and served as President of the Domain Legion #208. Whether refereeing, coaching, playing goal or tying the skates of neighbourhood kids on public skate night, Don was a common sight at the local arena. His love of skating was passed down to his children and grandchildren, and many nights were spent driving to various rinks and cheering from the stands.
Don loved to travel and went on many trips with Daphne, sampling ice cream every step of the way. This sense of adventure took them through over 40 countries on six continents and they saw Antarctica from a distance on their final trip to Patagonia in February 2020. He was always happy to arrive home after their journeys, excited for springtime and seeding and the promise of the new crop year. His pride and joy was his family; being a grandpa brought him great happiness. He was a smart, compassionate, kind and humble man. Those who knew him would recognize the twinkle in his eye that preceded a quick-witted joke, which he always thought was funny.
He is survived by his wife Daphne, children, Laurel (Craig), David (Jenny), Leslie (Josh), and Patricia (Justin) and grandsons, Keegan, Logan, Connor, William, Bennett, and James; his brother Ken (Elaine), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Doreen, brother-in-law Burke, and cousin Ralph.
A memorial service will be held in Avonlea United Church and streamed to Domain Hall on Saturday, November 19 at 1:00 p.m. A private family interment will take place on a different date.
The family would like to thank the many members of Don's community, both near and far, for sharing their memories and love of Don. He will be deeply missed by many.
In lieu of flowers, if one wishes, we kindly request donations be made to Avonlea United Church or The Manitoba Lung Association.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 05, 2022
Condolences & Memories (12 entries)
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I want to offer my condolences. I was a student of his at the U of M. Don was always interesting to listen to and full of humour while teaching. He even made personal connections knowing my family was from Rosenort/Sperling area. He even took time to tutor me one on one when I needed extra help. I am not surprised to laugh a little reading about his personal life and interests as it seems so fitting with the small amount of time I knew him in school. Prayers, Natalie - Posted by: Natalie (Student) on: Jun 19, 2023
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My belated condolences to you Daphne. When the two Don’s came to Glenboro School it changed the place. I believe you were the home economics teacher. Don coached the basketball team when I was playing, so much fun. God bless. - Posted by: Keith Biles (Student) on: Dec 21, 2022
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Although Don was my Uncle, because of Canada's vast distances, I knew him through only a couple of dozen interactions. Over that duration, he was a committed man of family and the land, an entrepreneur, an academic, a wit of the highest order and eventually a quasi-retiree. I was a child, a wayward adolescent and eventually a father and family man, myself. For many decades, Don provided something I didn't have and couldn't recognize - an example that hit the mark. Surprisingly, he was the first one to prompt me to drive. I remember the squishy feeling of the gravel road under the tires of that old half-ton. At first, I was driving too slow - and then too fast. It was totally against the law and yet the cosmos smiled down on that moment. God's law was honoured, when he took the opportunity to teach a stunted city kid to keep it between the ditches. More recently, at my wedding, when we had three minutes to connect. He asked what I was doing for work. I replied, "I'm working for the local government". And without missing a beat, without giving away his own pleasure in the joke, he replied, "oh yeah, a growth-industry!". I don't know if Don knew of my deep hatred for big government, whose primary effect is to make small both God and people, but until the day I die it will be one of the funniest, most well timed, subtly delivered and audience customized jokes I have ever experienced. For Don, it was an offhanded, witty retort but for me... it was solid country gold. A piece of treasure I will carry in my heart and randomly laugh at as I stare into the abyss we call the future of our civilization. In a strange twist of our times, laughter is a rare commodity in clown-world. In the inbetween of our interactions, out in the boreal forest and foothills of Alberta, I was turning my life into a cautionary tale. But, over the horizon, unsuspecting, was Don. Stoic Don. Comedic Don. Wisened and Balanced Don. The example I didn't know I had. Perhaps, I had to error long enough to see what getting it right might look like. And now, in all humility, I think I have a better idea of what hitting the mark looks like. If I may, here are some of the lessons I learned from my Great Uncle Don... Find the most virtuous woman who will have you - one who treasures knowledge, discipline, laughter and the Lord - and hold on for dear life. Find productive work that challenges you, train others in the field and continue your own growth in knowledge and practice - and hold on for dear life. Find a community you can grow in and help to grow, love the people in it regardless of their temporary, mortal failings - and hold on for dear life. Find joy in the moment, laugh at the absurd, cry at the tragic and do what is necessary, knowing that in time all these things shall pass away - and hold on for dear life. And most importantly, find salvation in this world through our Lord and Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, casting upon His cross your burdens and errors - and hold on for dear life. In short, make your neighbours laugh, pet your dog, hug your kids, kiss your love and stop the tractor for a moment at sunset for God has hidden His treasures, this side of the veil, in these things and He gives them to you freely. Holding on for dear life is hard and takes hands as hard as diamonds. Don had diamond hands. Don was a diamond out on the Manitoba prairie. Diamond Don. 'Til we meet again, Don, where gravel roads are turned to gold, dusty canvas overalls are robes of white, wide-brim hats are crowns of glory and the crops bloom every season all their own - where the growth industry is the Kingdom of Heaven. Thank you for showing me what keeping it between the ditches looks like. - Posted by: Peter Jacoby (Nephew) on: Nov 19, 2022
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So sorry to hear of Don's passing. There was always lots of laughter and fun antics from the Johnson/Fowler dock. Our sincerest condolences to your family. The Wheelers - Posted by: Jim and Heather Wheeler (Cottage neighbours) on: Nov 17, 2022
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Mes condoléances chère Daphne, Patricia et membres de la famille. Very saddened to learn of Don's passing. What a life! What a life partner! What an inspiration to others! What a community minded individual! I was the fortunate French instructor from Ste. Agathe referred to in the Passage. Daughter Patricia had recruited mom & dad for this language adventure & I'm glad she did. Both were former teachers themselves & avid students rarely missing a class even in winter when the roads were not always that great. It was always enjoyable to have Don in my class. He had a great sense of humour, taking notes & trying his very best to get the pronunciation & sentence structure down right. Daphne would glance at him sideways wondering what he would say next. One year my wife Suzanne & I decided to host our French class in our home for a traditional December get together before Christmas. I asked Don to bring his bagpipes. His response: I can bring them but make sure everyone has ear plugs. They didn't need the ear plugs. Don played various musical pieces in front of an enchanted audience. It was a very memorable evening. Repose en paix mon ami Don; parti mais jamais oublié. Rest in peace my friend. Guy Gagnon, formateur en Français @ Sainte-Agathe - Posted by: Guy Pierre Gagnon (former French teacher) on: Nov 08, 2022
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What a great tribute to Don. One always learns a little something one didn’t know before. When they say someone was “a prince of a guy”, that applies to Don. Gentle, funny, determined, a gentleman! We enjoyed our association and friendship with Don and Daphne. Of course we were thinking about “getting together soon” and will forever regret not acting on that sooner. Holding Daphne and family in our hearts. ❤️ Robyn & Janet - Posted by: Robyn & Janet McCombe (Friends and Pipe Major) on: Nov 05, 2022
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Daphne, we were shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of your beloved Don. We will remember his wonderful sense of humour and infectious laugh. We will greatly miss our dear friend. Condolences to you and your family. - Posted by: Jacquie &Ian Ross (friend from pipe band) on: Nov 05, 2022
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What a great tribute to Don. One always learns a little something one didn’t know before. When they say someone was “a prince of a guy”, that applies to Don. Gentle, funny, determined, a gentleman! We enjoyed our association and friendship with Don and Daphne. Of course we were thinking about “getting together soon” and will forever regret not acting on that sooner. Holding Daphne and family in our hearts. ❤️ Robyn & Janet - Posted by: Robyn & Janet McCombe (Friends and Pipe Major) on: Nov 05, 2022
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Patrick and I would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family. This was a lovely tribute and Don was such a great man. We are so sorry for your loss. - Posted by: Daniel Rochon-Frosk (Cousin to Jenny) on: Nov 05, 2022
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My Condolences to Daphne + family. So sorry to hear of your Beloved Loss. Don will be remembered by all who knew him. Gone but never forgotten. R.I.P Don - Posted by: YOLANDE MARIE BAILEY (Friend of Laurel.) on: Nov 05, 2022
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My deepest sympathy to the Johnson family. I am sad to hear of the passing of Mr.Johnson. I enjoyed going to the Johnson’s Farm growing up because Mr.Johnson was always cracking his jokes and their house was always filled of laughter and excitement. There was never a dull moment when he was around! He will definitely be missed my everyone who knew him. Thinking of you all during this difficult time. - Posted by: Monique Martens (Bailey) (Friend of Laurel) on: Nov 05, 2022
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We were saddened to hear of Don's passing. Offering our sincerest condolences to Daphne & family. - Posted by: Pierre & Teresa Lanoie (Former neighbors & friend) on: Nov 05, 2022