Obituary of Donald R. Johnson

Donald R. Johnson, 68, of 1984 Shadyside Road, Lakewood, NY, died Tuesday May 15, 2012, in UPMC Hamot Medical Center, Erie. A Jamestown native, he was born July 7, 1943, a son of the late Arthur and Elsie Roth Johnson. He attended Southwestern Central School. He later joined the US Navy serving from 1962-66 and was aboard the USS Lake Champlain which was the ship that returned astronaut Alan Shepard to shore following his trip to space and splash down in the ocean. He was currently employed by Hy-tech as a tool and die maker for 25 years. He was a member of Herman Kent Post 777 American Legion, Chautauqua Lake Fishing Association, Lakewood Celoron Moose, Lakewood Rod and Gun Club and Busti Men's Club. He loved golf, but rarely did golf love him back. Surviving are his wife the former Betsy Windoft, whom he married April 14, 2007; two children Steven (Brandy) Johnson of Panama and Cindy (Andy) Vanaman of Claremore, OK; four grandchildren Nathan Johnson and Andrew, Rylee and Annabelle Vanaman; a sister Barbara (Chrissy) Johnson of Jamestown; step children Apryl (Michael) Troutman of Jamestown and Gregory (Daile) Jackson of Lakewood and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by four brothers Paul, Tim, Ron and Bryan Johnson. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Lind Funeral Home. Rev. Daniel S. Rumfelt will officiate. Friends will be received from 5-7 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to American Heart Association, Heart Gifts Processing Center, PO Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220 or Herman Kent Post 777 American Legion, 26 Jackson Avenue, Jamestown, NY 14701. You may light a candle in remembrance of Don at www.lindfuneralhome.com.