We are saddened to announce the passing of Don Johnson at the age of 91. Don was born on the farm in the RM of Silverwood, Sask. and raised on the farm where he found a love of cattle, horses and raising livestock. He was an educated man with his grade 8 education and lived as a free-wheeling bachelor cowboy.
Don started showing purebred Herefords for various breeders 1951. That fall he made his first of 21 consecutive trips to the Toronto Royal Winter Fair. As well as two trips to the CNE in Toronto. He always spoke fondly of those trips, and his lifelong friend, Wilfred Davis.
Don met the love of his life, Marion Clark, at the Inchkeith Fair where she was showing pigs – after their courtship they married in 1961.
Don had his own ranch near Whitewood where he and Marion raised champion quality Herefords. 1962 was a big year for Don and Marion, their first son William was born in May and Don had his crowning achievement: The Grand Champion Steer at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. They were blessed with another son Lyle in 1963. Don began managing the Circle T Ranch at Broadview, and their third son Robert was born in 1977.
Don left the Circle T in 1984 and moved to Cumberland House where he managed the Government Ranch until he “retired” in 1992.
Don and Marion moved to Christopher Lake and spent their “retirement” raising cattle and started a catering business, which kept them busy everyday. They included the whole family in their ventures. They loved the time spent with all their grandchildren in the summer and they bragged about their grandchildren to anyone who would listen.
Don and Marion were Citizens of the Year for Christopher Lake in 2011 and kept farming until 2012.
Marion passed away in 2014 and Don moved to Kipling to be closer to his grandchildren. He enjoyed cards at the Senior’s Centre and was proud to live on his own until he was 90. He spent his final year in the Wawota Deer View Lodge and always mentioned the VIP treatment he received. He was happy to have all his family come to visit over the Christmas holidays.
Don always had a story and a joke for every situation, and they were all so good he had to tell them more than twice. He was glad to have worked cattle with all his sons at different times in his life and took great pride and joy in his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all that knew him.
Don is survived by his sons, Lyle (Sarah) and Robert (Rebecca); daughter-in-Law Janis; sisters, Edythe Brown and Carol (Bill) Hill; his sisters-in-law, Doreen (Jim) and Betty (Ken); brother-in-law Cliff (Monica); and grandchildren, David (Amber), Brett, Naomi (Nick), Elizabeth, Ryley, Reid, Rhett and Rory; great-grandchildren, Colter, AJ, Tyrell, Shaelyn, Chloe, Rashad, Carter and Gianna; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family.
He is predeceased by his beloved wife Marion; son William; parents, David and Ella Johnson; father-in-law Jim Clark, mother-in-law Marjorie Clark; and brother-in-law Gordon Brown.
There is no funeral planned at this time, there will be a graveside service at a warmer date. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to The Deer View Lodge Residents Comfort Fund in Wawota.
