Donald "Don" Johnson

Donald Lester “Don” Johnson was born on November 4, 1930 at the family farm in Oden, and passed away on December 21, 2016 at Hearthstone Assisted Living in Kootenai, Idaho. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on December 30, 2016 at Coffelt Funeral Home, in Sandpoint. A side dish and dessert potluck for friends and family will follow at the VFW Hall, main course will be provided. Don was the youngest of seven children born to Arvid and Rose (Kudlata) Johnson. With four brothers and two sisters there was never a shortage of fun activities around the Johnson homestead. In early days, many fond memories included tagging along with “Uncle”, Frank Kudlata, surviving shenanigans with his older siblings, and hiking to Pack River to swim and fish. Don attended grade school at the Oden Schoolhouse, which was located at the end of their field. Don’s high school years were filled with fishing, hunting and playing football for Sandpoint High School. Being one of the biggest boys in school he received the nickname “Tiny”, and had a successful sporting career under the reign of Coach Cotton Barlow, whom he greatly admired. His mode of transportation to football practice was his Harley Davidson motorcycle which he rode most of the school year, and even throughout one winter. During the summers, Don spent much of his time working on the family farm. One summer, Don worked down in Walla Walla at a cannery and another was spent on Trout Peak lookout. Don received a scholarship to play football at Eastern Washington College in Cheney. He always joked that he liked playing football, but the time he spent studying always got in the way of hunting and fishing. He soon returned home, spending many of his weekends successfully hunting with his friends and neighbors, Alvin Kluver, the Woods, and Fitzpatricks. His formative years were centered around watching his older brothers Herbert, Harry, and Robert, along with brother in laws, Hardy and Phil, serve their country. His brother Herb was a surviving P.O.W. of the Bataan Death March. His sacrifice truly affected Don and the entire family for the rest of their lives. As The Korean Conflict was mounting, Don followed in their footsteps, and enlisted in the Air Force as an airplane mechanic. After his time in the service, Don returned home, started dating his high school sweetheart, Nancy Englert, and also began working for the Idaho Department of Highways. Don and Nancy were married on October 1, 1955 in Sandpoint, Idaho. Together they built their family home at Oden and had three children, Brian, Arnold and Jill. Don coached baseball during the many years that the boys played, and as the children grew older, he also taught hunter safety. Years later, upon retiring from the Department of Highways, Don continued working his farm; he ran cattle and spent his summers putting up hay. Don enjoyed his time ranching, and was a longtime member of the Bonner County Cattlemen’s Association. In later years, when his health slowed him from working as hard as he was accustomed to, Don and Nancy became regulars at the Senior Center. They enjoyed socializing with friends and playing Pinochle. Don was also active in a men’s card group that met weekly to play penny-poker. His love for sports continued throughout his life, making sure to attend every game that his grandchildren participated in. Don and Nancy remained avid fans, spending many hours cheering for the Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks, and the Gonzaga Men’s Basketball team. Throughout Don’s life, one friendship that had very special meaning to him was that of Alvin Kluver. Alvin moved into the neighborhood as a small boy and being in the same grade, they attended Oden School and Sandpoint High School together. They enlisted in the buddy program and remained with each other throughout their Air Force careers. After they were married, Don and Nancy, Alvin and Peggy, and their families would connect monthly for dinners, and the men would get haircuts. Don cherished his lifelong memories and the close relationships he shared with his six siblings, along with the rest of their large Johnson Family. He loved being a Grandpa and often bragged about his grandchildren’s successes over a game of cards. Don is preceded in death by his parents Arvid and Rose Johnson, stepmother Nona (Hackworth) Johnson, wife Nancy, daughter Jill, and siblings, Arthur, Herbert, Ethel “Sis,” and Harry Johnson. Don is survived by his sons, Brian (Loretta) and Arnold (Sandra), grandchildren, Nicholas, Matthew (Kelcey), Shauna, Christina and Madison, along with siblings Robert, Betty, and Ron (Hackworth). The family suggests that Memorials in honor of Don may be made to The Oden Busy Bees (3465 Sunnyside Rd., Sandpoint, ID 83864) or The Sandpoint Senior Center (820 Main St., Sandpoint, ID 83864).