Donald Lee Johnson

Donald Lee Johnson was born on February 26, 1942 in Cherokee, IA, the son of Albin and Marie Johnson. He lived with his parents and brothers and sisters in Paullina, IA. He graduated from Paullina High School in 1960 and then went to Chicago, IL to attend Trinity College. Don graduated in 1964 with a double major in Bible and Christian Education. He did graduate work at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL, and Bethel Theological Seminary in St Paul, MN. He was ordained for ministry on June 11, 1972.

Don was united in marriage to Gwen Anderson on June 12, 1964. To this union three sons were born, Jeffrey, Timothy, and Gregory. He was so pleased with the accomplishments each of them has made. Jeffrey is a pilot with American and is based at DFW. Jeff with his wife Mary live in Nashville, TN. Timothy is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and with his wife Jodi live in Lytle, TX outside of San Antonio, TX. Gregory is a Manager at Amazon and with his wife Angela live in San Antonio, TX.

Don and Gwen went to Clintonville, WI in 1966 with their son Jeff to begin a 50-year fruitful ministry of the Gospel. He served either as Pastor or Minister of Christian Education in churches in Clintonville, WI; Minneapolis, MN; St. Louis Park, MN; Edina, MN; Nashville, TN; Columbia, TN; Olds, AB, Canada and Escondido, CA.

Don served for 15 years as an instructor and age-level specialist with International Center for Learning, a division of Gospel Light in Southern CA. The teams held seminars designed to help Sunday School Teachers be more effective. He served as a seminar leader in the San Diego Area with Church Resource Ministries. He was also a leader with Disciple Making Ministries which helped local pastors and church leaders develop a strong program of disciple making in their churches. Don was an adjunct professor at Moody Bible Institute and while living in Canada taught at Prairie College in Three Hills, Alberta. Don had the significant privilege of traveling on mission trips to St. Croix and to Ecuador.

He was a proud grandpa of twin grandchildren, Evan and Nina Johnson, children of Dr. Timothy Johnson. Evan just completed his first year of graduate school at Pratt University, Brooklyn, NY in the School of Architecture. Nina has just started her first year of Medical School at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND.

Don is survived by his wife, Gwen of 61 years, sons Jeffrey (Mary), Timothy (Jodi) and Gregory (Angela) and a brother, James Johnson of Vero Beach, FL. as well as many relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Virginia and Dorothy and one brother, Kenneth.

Don died on June 23, 2025 at home in San Antonio, TX at the age of 83.

A graveside service celebrating Don’s Life will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Zion Presbyterian Churchyard 2322 Zion Road, Columbia, TN 38401, the public is welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, Don’s family requests that those who wish to express sympathy in Don’s memory consider making donations to Chosen People Ministries headquartered in NY. They bring the gospel to the almost two million Jewish people living in New York City.