Donald "Don" Leroy Johnson, Jr. passed away peacefully on July 17, 2024 with his three children and canine friend, Edie, at his side. Don was the second oldest out of four children, born to Judith May Johnson (Nordskog) and Donald Johnson Sr. in Tucson, AZ, while his father was stationed in the U.S. Air Force. He is preceded in death by his parents and older sister, Julie Ann Bartels (Lake Quivera, KS), whom he adored. His younger siblings Reed Theodore Johnson (San Diego, CA) and Nancy Jo Burrowes (Columbus, OH) were close to his heart throughout his life. Don grew up in Shawnee Mission, KS in a loving family with a proud Norwegian heritage. He was a 1962 graduate of Shawnee Mission North High School and was active in his church community at Trinity Lutheran, where as a boy he sang in the choir and later worked as a church janitor, alongside his buddy Wilbur. Don loved working on sports cars, both in his youth and as an adult. Don earned his bachelors degree in finance from Emporia State University in 1966 where he was a member of the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. He married Emma Jane Blair in 1967 and had three children who he loved and adored, Brennan Scott Johnson [wife Natalie] (Irving, TX), Paige Suzanne Johnson (Round Rock, TX), and Ryan Blair Viviano (Houston, TX). Don served his country with great pride as 1st Lieutenant and Company Commander of the 25th Infantry Division, Tropical Lightning, in the United States Army from 1966-1969. He trained in Ft. Dix, NJ where he completed Officer Training School. He bravely served in the Vietnam War and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, two Overseas Service Bars, Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star Medal, and Silver Star Medal. Don began his career at The Travelers Insurance Co. in Hartford, CT where he worked from 1970-1980 as the VP of Commercial Finance in the Real Estate Investment Department. In 1980, Don and his young family moved to Plano, TX where Don was instrumental in the development, financing, and management of Las Colinas as Asset Manager. In 1990, Don and family moved to Houston, TX where he managed Greenway Plaza and The Summit. Prior to retirement, Don worked for G.E. Capital in Houston and later settled in Cedar Park, TX. Don leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, Payton, Ashton (Dallas, TX), Merritt, Maddox (Irving, TX) Blair, and Brooke (Round Rock, TX). Don was close to many additional family members and their respective families, including Donnie (Arlington, TX), Kierstin, Reed, Joe (Kansas City, KS) and Brooke (Danville, CA). Don was a patriot to his country and loved fast cars (in our minds we can still hear his 1973 Mach1 Mustang or 1982 Z-28 trailing through the streets of Dallas and Houston), dogs, rock n roll music, working with his hands, and a good ole Texas thunderstorm. Don was an intelligent, caring, fearless, funny, and strong man and, DJ, you will be missed greatly. Dons family has much appreciation to both the William R. Courtney State Veterans Home and Our Hospice House, both in Temple, TX, where he received exceptional care. Services will be held Friday, August 9, 2024. A 12:30pm Memorial Service is scheduled at Donnellys Colonial Funeral Home, 606 W Airport Fwy, Irving, TX, 75062. From there, a 2pm military ceremony is to take place at The Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, located at 2000 Mountain Creek Pwky, Dallas, TX 75211. A Celebration of Life will be held from 3-5pm in the Fireside Ballroom and Lounge at The Las Colinas Country Club, 4400 N. OConnor Rd, Irving, TX 75062. Donations in honor of Don can be made to Our Hospice House, 2608 N. Main Street, Suite B, Box 195, Belton, TX, 76513 or Wounded Warrior Project, (888) 448-3997, www.woundedwarriorproject.org. There are no gallery images. Memorial Service Friday, August 9, 2024 12:30 PM Colonial Funeral Home of Irving 606 West Airport Freeway Irving, TX 75062 Committal Service Friday, August 9, 2024 2:00 PM Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway Dallas, TX 75211