Donald David Johnson

Funeral services for Donald David Johnson, 87 year-old Cordell resident, were held Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church with Michelle Mc-Carty and Jimmy Prickett officiating. Burial followed at North Burns Cemetery, south of Burns Flat, under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home.

Donald was born Feb. 6, 1932, to Ira “Tip” Mitchell and Ida Margaret (Schneberger) Johnson and passed away Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, at Cordell Memorial Hospital. Donald was raised on the family farm south of Burns Flat and attended school at both Burns Flat and Dill City, graduating from Dill City High School in 1950. After high school, Donald began his farming career and on Aug. 29, 1952, he married Joyce Wallis who also grew up south of Burns Flat and was a close neighbor.

Together they made their home south of Burns Flat and later on east of Dill City where they farmed and raised cattle. Donald served in the Army from Jan. 20, 1954, to Oct. 19, 1955, trained as a twin engine aircraft mechanic and released to the Army Reserves for the following eight years.

In addition to farming full time, Donald worked on achieving a higher education degree by attending night classes at Clinton-Sherman Air Base at Burns Flat and eventually transitioning to taking classes at Southwestern Oklahoma State University earning his Bachelor’s Degree in 1971 and Master’s Degree in 1973. During the mid-1970’s when there was a downturn in the farming industry, Donald put his degree to use by working for the State Department of Human Services as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in Visual Services located at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Later that decade, Donald returned to farming full time until 1985 when he again began working as a counselor for New Horizons/Red Rock Behavioral Health Services in Clinton, retiring in 1997.

Donald spent the remainder of his days raising cows and calves on the farm he loved so much which happened to be within walking distance of where he was born and raised. Donald was active in many community and church organizations and boards including the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Burns Flat, First United Methodist Church of Cordell, Dill City School Board of Education, State of Oklahoma School Board Association, and the Washita County Farmers Union where he served as officer and member attending state and national meetings.

Donald loved and enjoyed his family, farming and working cattle, his church activities, his airplane and flying, cars, baseball, and his neighbors in the community that he thought so much of.

Donald is survived by one daughter, Sherry Eller and husband, Jon of Norman; one son, Steve Johnson of Weatherford; one borther, Jonny Johnson of Sayre; one sister, Donna Kilhoffer of Burns Flat; two grandchildren, Kyle Johnson and wife Wendy of Weatherford and Colt Christian of Norman; and two great-grandchildren, Cannen Ace and Evynn Grace Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Mike Johnson; two sisters, Imogene Nichols and Mildred Thionnet; and daughter, Janell Johnson.