Colonel Donald Lee Johnson age 84, of Hot Springs, AR died Saturday, April 23rd, 2022 at the CHI St. Vincent’s Hospital in Hot Springs, AR. He was born Wednesday, July 14th, 1937 in Hermitage, AR a son of the late David Allen Johnson and Martha Geneva Hines Johnson. Colonel Johnson spent his career with the United States Army serving in Korea and the United State Army Reserve with 43 years of service to his country. In his earlier days, growing up in Bradley County, he attended and graduated from the Hermitage Public School System, attended and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, AR where he was a member of the Sig Tau Gamma Fraternity before he started his career and service to his country in the United State Army. He and his wife were members of Piney Grove United Methodist Church in Hot Springs, AR. Donald was a Christian man who shared kindness and friendship with many people. He loved attending his children’s activities. He was also preceded in death by brothers, David Allen Johnson Jr., Dean Johnson, and sisters Molly Johnson, Eva Lou Caplinger and Marie Land.
Donald is survived by his wife, Earline Gavin Johnson of Hot Springs, AR who he was a faithful husband to for 60 years, his 3 children to whom he was a loving daddy for 55 years, Brigette Lea Dunn, spouse Tripp of Hot Springs, AR; Anthony Scott “Tony” Johnson and spouse Kristy, Hot Springs, AR, Jason Gavin Johnson and spouse Kristy, Hot Springs, AR. He was a sweet Poppa for 22 years to his grandchildren, Darby Grace Dunn, Gavin William Johnson, Jackson Vincent Johnson, Sophia Jane Johnson, Piper Kate Johnson and Major Briggs Johnson and some nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.
Graveside services were 2:00 PM Tuesday, April 26th at Oakland Cemetery with Bro. Wayman Mann officiating. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery by Frazer’s Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Tony Johnson, Jason Johnson, Tripp Dunn, Gavin Johnson, Jackson and David Caplinger. Donald, a respected man, enjoyed volunteering at various organizations. Several times he served in leadership roles in NARFE (Nat’l Assoc of Retired Federal Employees) and the McClellan High School Booster Club. Donald was instrumental in the founding in the Bradley County Veteran’s Museum. Memorial may be made to the Veteran’s Museum; 210 N Main St., Warren, AR 71671, Live Like Bryce – The Bryce Briggs Memorial Foundation; 116 LuJuan, Hot Springs, AR 71913, or Piney Grove Methodist Church Hugs Group 2963 Airport Rd., Hot Springs, AR 71913
