Donald E. Johnson

Donald E. Johnson, 91, of Gresham, OR, went to heaven to be with his loved ones on September 26, 2015. He was born in Longmont, CO on March 17, 1924 to Henry E. and Mabel (Lewis) Johnson. His grandparents Henry Johnson and Christina Fritzson came from Lyuïgby, Sweden in 1883 and settled in Windsor, CO. He was raised on a farm west of Longmont, where he lost both hands in a horse drawn mowing machine accident when he was 11 years old. He had artificial arms and hooks that he learned to do many things with. He raced stock cars and could type faster than his sister. Don graduated from Longmont High School in 1942. He worked on the farm until 1949 when he got a job selling cars for Hill Motor Co. in Longmont. Don started working at Dow Chemical Co., Rocky Flats Plant on July 29, 1953.Don married Jane Hopkins on September 16, 1953 in Cheyenne, WY. They made their first home in Hygiene, CO and were blessed with 2 children, Donna Jane and Grant Franklin. They divorced in 1965. Don and Gwen Sipe were married on July 21, 1968 in Boulder, CO.Don retired from Rocky Flats on July 1, 1986. He and Gwen moved to Gresham, OR in September of 1986. Don was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ralph and Everette and nephew Delmer.Don is survived by his wife Gwen, daughter Donna, son Grant, sister Alice Hayne, 7 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Don will be greatly missed by the ones who loved him.Graveside services will be held at 10:30am, Friday, October 9, 2015 at Longmont Mountain View Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hygiene United Methodist Church. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.