Johnson001Loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed into the loving arms of his heavenly Father Tuesday, March 18th. Don was surrounded by his wife Mary and his family. It was very fitting that he passed from his earthly life as the sun set.

Donald Wayne Johnson entered the world during a snow storm at Gladewater, Texas on February 16, 1932. The weather was so cold that the family car wouldn’t start, and his father and mother began walking towards town to the hospital. They were picked up by an old field truck, which was fitting as his father owned an oil drilling company. Don’s mother Joan Venable Johnson and his father George G. Johnson were both from Oklahoma. Don, his parents, and two sisters lived in various towns where oil drilling was prevalent during the early oil boom of Texas. They lived in Corpus Christi and  Fort Stockton,Texas, Ada, Oklahoma, and Midland Texas, just to name a few. Don graduated from Midland High School in 1950. The Midland High School Youth Center was the place where he met Mary Row Johnson, his wife of 59 years. Don graduated from Texas Tech University in 1954, with his emphasis of study in Agriculture, Economics, and Real Estate. Uncle Sam came calling, and Don was sent to Virginia for basic military training. Mary traveled to Virginia, and her and Don married, November 6, 1954, when he had a weekend off from his training. In December 0f 1954, Don was sent to Germany, and Mary joined him in January of 1955.

Don and Mary traveled around Germany, and the surrounding countries for 18 months, and it was during this time that their first child, Sandy, was born. Upon returning home from Germany, Don worked for a Great Western Drilling Company in Midland, and a second child, Susie, was born. Don began his real estate career in 1961, and founded, Don Johnson Relators, where his company logo was, ” Talk to Don Johnson.” The real estate company grew and became Midland’s largest full service real estate company. Don served as president of Midland Realtors, as well as holding several state real estate board offices. In January of 1971, Don and Mary moved their children to Brownwood, Texas, so that Don could pursue his lifelong dream of ranching. Don started his Brownwood company, Don Johnson Realtors, in 1972. He also was instrumental in founding the Brownwood Board of Realtors and Brownwood MLS. Don and Mary started the Brownwood 4-H Horse Club in 1972. Don served on The Federal Land Bank board and advisory committee, as well as the director at Republic Bank of Brownwood for many years. Don was a member of First Baptist Church, Brownwood, where he served as a deacon, and had been the Sunday school director of the college department, and several adult departments. He served on the board at The Good Samaritan, and Howard Payne University. He loved his church dearly. Don was president of the American Red Brangus Association, and the West Texas Red Brangus Association. His favorite times were spent outside with his cows, who won several heifer futurities.

God and family were the most important things in Don’s life. “Daddy 2” as his grandkids called him, loved spending time with Mary, his children, and grandchildren. Don made a game out of helping those who needed help, and keeping it a secret, whether is was buying them dinner, helping them get a place to live when there really wasn’t the means to do so, or giving them a job. He loved helping others.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Mary, daughter Sandy Johnson Avants, and husband Larry Avants of Brownwood, daughter Susie Johnson Hunter, and husband J.Michael Hunter of Austin, Texas. Two grandchildren, Shallon Hunter of New York City, and Hayden Hunter, of Austin, Texas. He is survived by sister, Pat Fleger, of McKinney, Texas, and sister Marilyn Broyles, and husband Walter Broyles of Houston, Texas. He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews,cousins, and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Mary’s parents, and a host of aunts and uncles.

The family will receive friends Friday evening at 6:30 pm at Heartland Funeral Home. Memorial service will be held Saturday, 2 pm at First Baptist Church, Brownwood, Texas. A private family burial will be held at Eastlawn Memorial Park. The family request memorial be made to First Baptist Church, Howard Payne University, or Good Samaritan Ministries of Brownwood.

Condolences can be offered to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net