Donald (Don) Arthur Johnson passed away on January 13, 2008, in Anacortes. He was born in Seattle on April 22, 1932, to Leo Joseph Johnson and Frances Josephine Gorman Johnson. He was the fifth of seven children. He was preceded in death by his Parents, also his Brothers, Daniel Johnson, Francis (Bud) Johnson, Robert Johnson, and Richard Johnson.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Myrna Lou Siebens Johnson; his sister, Catherine (Earl) Hunt of Bothell; brother, Gerald (Mary) Johnson of Salem, Ore. Also his four children, Michael Kevin Johnson (Karen) of Renton, Laurel Dawn Swaffield (Norm) of Snohomish, Christopher Scott Johnson (Sue) of Maple Valley, and Timothy Donald Johnson (Mimi) of Issaquah. And five grandchildren, Steffan and Bryan Swaffield, Alex, Rachel and Jenny Johnson. Also, Shaylene and Tyler Waterer, Brian and Brenda Louie.

Don's first home was in West Seattle near the Puget Sound salt water he so loved. His family then built and moved to a home in Normandy Park near Burien where he was raised. He attended school at Sunnydale Elementary and Highline High School, and while still in high school joined the Burien Volunteer Fire Dept., where he had many Friends, and was called "The Kid," and later after he'd met his future wife Myrna, he was called "I Love You" as whenever he called her while there, he always ended the call that way, and continued that throughout their marriage every day.

In that time frame he also joined the Naval Reserve and served 41/2 years. He was called in 1952 to active duty in the Korean Conflict, serving aboard the USS Fletcher DDE. On leave in 1953, he married his wife, Myrna, returned to duty and came home in Feb. 1954 in time for their first anniversary.

They purchased their first home in Riverton Heights in 1954, where they started their family, first Mike 1955, Laurie 1956, Chris 1959 and Tim 1962. The family joined the Highline Christian Church where Don became a Deacon and a member of the Choir. When the children started school, he became a member on the Advisory Council Board of the South Central School District.

In 1963, they moved to a larger home with a Renton address in the Issaquah School District. Don became Co-President with his wife of the May Valley PTA. He was elected a member and Chairman of the Issaquah School Board for eight years, and Chairman and member of the King County School Directors. Also Co-Founder of the Coalfield Five Star Athletics Club, and Co-Founder of the Coalfield King County Park, to provide the opportunity for children of five communities to take part in sports, and have a place in which to play. Don was a United Good Neighbors fund raiser; Special Olympics volunteer; officer and member of Teamsters Local 174; Rear Commodore and Commodore of the SEABACS Boating/Yacht Club; and Past Commodore member of the International order of Blue Gavel.

He spent 30 years at the Boeing Airplane Co., where he enjoyed meeting people from all over the world, many of which became his friends, and he was often told that he was their' favorite American. He was written up in many Boeing publications as a true Boeing Ambassador, as he helped to sell the airplanes of which he was so proud.

The 13th was Don's lucky number, this was the day in April he met his wife. His luck we pray was renewed in great abundance, when he left his ill health and hurt behind, as he departed on the 13th, to go to that Heavenly Place, where they'll feel as lucky as we were, to have him amongst them.

You may share your memories of Don and sign his online guest register at www.kernfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were under the care of Kern Funeral Home of Mount Vernon. NOTICE of Don's celebration of Life, will be published late this Spring when his ashes will be spread on the Sea.