Donald Paul Johnson

Donald P. Johnson passed away suddenly on April 27, 2010 of natural causes. Don was born on Oct 26, 1931 in Woodside New York, N.Y. He lived there until he joined the navy during the Korean War. After his discharge he returned home and married his sweetheart Sally Devlin. Don and Sally moved out on Long Island to Farmingdale where Don started work with Republic Aviation. After six years with Republic, Don accepted a higher-level position in his field of engineering services with Grumman Aerospace Corp. in Bethpage, Long Island. Meanwhile, Don and Sally started raising their family of boys, five of which were born on Long Island. At Grumman, Don worked on the Lunar Module Program. In 1967, the Johnson’s moved to Houston, TX where Don’s work continued for Grumman at NASA, Manned Space Center. In Houston, the sixth boy, Brian, was added to the family. After the successful moon landing in 1969, the Johnson’s moved to Camarillo, CA where Don worked on the F-14 Tomcat Program for Grumman at the Navy Base in Point Magu. Don retired in 1990 after 25 years with Grumman. Don loved to be around people, from children to seniors. He presented a happy, upbeat countenance to family, friends and passer-bys. If there was any way he could help a person he would do so. Family gatherings for birthdays and holidays were Don’s favorite activity, especially since they involved grandchildren. He always had a magic trick or two in his pocket to amaze the grandchildren. Don and his boys were actively engaged in sports. Don’s special sports were baseball, basketball and golf, in which he excelled. He played softball in Grumman leagues and on an All Navy Team in Hawaii. He continued to play golf up until a few days before his death. Don played by the rules, which in golf demands honesty and integrity. That’s also the way he conducted his life. You could trust Don Johnson. As the boys grew up in Camarillo, Don got them involved in sports, especially baseball and basketball. Don coached boys baseball and for years was the Pleasant Valley boys Commissioner. Don is survived by his brother Walter in Florida, and his sons and their families: Chris and Denise Johnson ( daughter Shauna, son Tyler) Richard and Kim Johnson (son Devin) Michael and Kathy Johnson (daughter Alissa, son Joey) Duke and Kathy Johnson( daughters Victoria & Hanna, son Jared & Ethan) Peter and Jodell Johnson (sons Mitchell & Max) Brian and Christy Johnson (sons Rylan & Christian) His first wife Sally who died in 1995 and his second wife Pat Togerson who died in 2001 predecease Don.