It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our cherished husband, father, and Opa, Col. Donald R Johnson Jr., on March 20, 2026, at the age of 79. Donald’s memory will be forever treasured as he is survived by his devoted wife, Dorothy, his loving children, Robbie, Sammie, Sarah, nine grandchildren, sisters Susan Knopf and Patty Burke; and the families they have built together.
Born in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 11, 1946 to parents Don and Pearlie Johnson, Donnie’s journey truly began when his parents brought him to Fern Street in Columbus, Georgia, at the age of 11. There, fate placed him across the street from a 10-year-old girl who would one day become his beloved wife and lifelong companion. As a young boy, Donnie was notorious for his mischievous adventures-tales of BB guns, paper routes, and four-headed pennies became legendary stories, lovingly retold to his children by Granny at family bedtime. Though Donnie and Dorothy first crossed paths as children in 1958, it was only after he returned home, wounded from Vietnam, that he realized the girl across the street was the woman destined to be the love of his life. United in love and resilience, Donnie and Dorothy journeyed across the globe, moving 17 times throughout his esteemed 28 year Army career starting in Georgia and ending in Japan. Their guiding principle, “Home is where the heart is,” shaped a rich family life.
Donnie leaves behind a profound legacy, his influence reaching family and friends across continents and generations. Wherever life took him, he brought people together with his warmth, laughter, and stories-each tale growing richer with every telling, and reflecting his deep love for life.
A service to celebrate Donnie’s remarkable life will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, with a procession to follow at Parkhill Cemetery on March 28, 2026 in Columbus, GA. All who knew and loved him are warmly invited to join. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Honor Flights, https://honorflightcentralflorida.org/ or the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) https://share.google/pPs75nYhTnZq9znLL in his honor.