Donald Eugene “Don” “Yogi” Johnson, 66, of Findlay, formerly of Elida, died at 4:28 p.m., Thursday, March 14, 2013, at Heritage Nursing Home, Findlay, with his loving family by his side, after fighting a brave battle with cancer. He was born Nov. 21, 1946, in Lima, to Donald Raymond and Jeanette (Baker) Johnson. His father preceded him in death and his mother survives in Lima.
Mr. Johnson was a self-employed painter, for many years, working a vast area from Columbus to Findlay to Lima and many places in-between. He was a 1965 graduate of Elida High School. He loved the Ohio State Buckeyes and one of his greatest enjoyments was travelling, to either Florida or California. He received great pleasure in listening to old music, watching old movies and being in nature. He was a free spirt and lived his life to the fullest.
Also surviving are his former wives, Sandy Lynn (Bryan) Johnson of Elida and Kathy Elaine (Hart) Johnson of Apopka, FL; his children: Andrea (James) Gutierrez of Findlay and Curtis Johnson of Apopka; and his grandchildren: Austin Junga and Brody Gutierrez.
Memorial services will begin at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 23, 2013, at Siferd-Orians Funeral Home, Lima, with Pastor John Moyler officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the time of services.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Heritage Nursing Home, 2820 Green Acre Dr., Findlay, Ohio, 45840.
Condolences may be expressed at www.siferd-oriansfuneralhome.com
My father never lived with me or raised me and while I couldn't change that I still always looked forward to his call or a visit. He lived life his way and had many many adventures, jobs, interests, and experiences and a million stories that came from them. Most will never do as much in a lifetime as he did. I wish we had spent more time together but he was busy riding this adventure called life. I grew past my younger anger of him not being there and he became a friend. When he would come to see me neither of us would want to say goodbye again. With the great distance between us we would talk on the phone, usually about The Ohio State Buckeyes and how I'd like to come up to catch a game or how he'd like to come down to catch some sun. I'm really glad me and the ones who really cared about him got to reunite and see him 1 last time. We got some smiles out of him while we told his stories. I held his hand and he recognized who we all were even though he couldn't speak. If only he was well and everyday could've been like that. I just wish I could take a long ride on the highway of life with him again and listen to his stories and we could laugh again. He was a fighter till the end but he was in a battle that most can never win. Now it's become my turn to tell a story, the story about my father the friend. You will be missed more than ever before Dad and even though we never said it much I love you.
Curtis
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