Donald Johnson Obituary

Donald Charles Johnson

April 23, 1947 -

October 25, 2025

JOHNSON CITY - Donald Charles Johnson, 78, Johnson City passed from this life Saturday, October 25, 2025 in the Johnson City Medical Center. He was born April 23, 1947 in Bethesda, Maryland. Don was a military brat who traveled extensively as a child and lived in many locations on the West Coast including 3 years in Hawaii. When his dad retired, they moved to Roan Mountain and learned to live on a farm, then graduated from Cloudland High School in 1965. Don spent 6 years in the U.S. Navy on the aircraft carrier, Ticonderoga and was stationed in the South Pacific off the coast of Vietnam. After his discharge, he rode his Honda 750 motorcycle cross-country and enrolled at ETSU. Don graduated with a degree in Engineering Graphics and Design. He and Holly met at the university and married in 1976.

Don worked as a professional photographer before working in motor design at Morrill Electric, Electrolux and ElectoMotor receiving several patents for his designs. After retirement, he began an adventure that lasted until his passing: building houses with the B-Team for Habitat for Humanity and Appalachian Service Project (ASP). Don and the team built many, many houses in this area. He and Holly invested in a building on Walnut Street and brought One Acre Café and then later Jeremiah Café to the neighborhood. He was quiet involved in both and was very proud to be a part of their missions. Don loved to tinker with Karmann Ghias, plants and gardening, watching car races, photography, building anything and reading. He enjoyed helping someone find a solution to a problem or telling a joke or story. Don loved greatly and will be missed so much.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Lane Johnson and Delores Blanche Arsenault Johnson.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Holly Hartzog Johnson; two sisters, Carolyn Campbell (Ken) and Cindy Fite (Daniel); also 5 nieces and nephews; 7 great-nieces and nephews; 18 great-greats (plus one on the way) and one great-great-great nephew who enjoyed sharing adventures with Uncle Don; He also leaves a host of friends and neighbors.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that contributions be made in Don's name to Appalachian Service Project, 4523 Bristol Highway, Johnson City, TN 37601 or to Habitat for Humanity, 3201 Kimberly Court, Suite 200, Johnson City, TN 37601.

It was Don's wish to be an organ/tissue donor and to be cremated. He will be buried at Heaton, North Carolina Christian Church cemetery in the Spring of 2026.