Charles Donald Johnson

Charles Donald "Don" Johnson, 83, of Mound Valley, passed into the arms of his Lord Monday, November 8, 2021.

He was born in his Grandpa Johnson's home, south of Mound Valley, on December 4, 1937, to Cleo and Louise (Cunningham) Johnson.  He was the first of their four children.  Don graduated from Labette County Community High School in 1955 and went on to attend Labette Community College.  During his years in school, he was an avid athlete, a love and activity he continued throughout his life.  He and his wife coached girls' basketball in Mound Valley and the girls they coached became "his girls" and he reminisced about them often.

Don honorably served as a staff sergeant in the Army Reserves for six years and was very proud when his granddaughter, Taylor Bugner, followed in his footsteps.

For over 50 years, Don worked for Echlin/ACC/Ace Electric Company, ending up as a warehouse manager and traffic manager.  He also farmed and raised livestock throughout those years.  Over that time, he made many lifelong friends.

In 1968, Don and Carol Sue Dilldine were united in marriage.  They celebrated 53 years of marriage this year.  The couple enjoyed the farm, raising cattle and gardening together.  Their greatest joy, though, has come from being Pa and Nan to their nine grandchildren and then Pa and Nan-Nan to their nine great-grandchildren, who became the absolute joy of their lives.  Don especially enjoyed holidays when his "girls" were cooking and he enjoyed having a piece of each of the desserts.  No holiday or get together is complete without a card game!  He'd do his best to beat everyone at pitch.  Johnson family card games are spirited, to put it nicely, and no one enjoyed that more than he did!

Survivors include:

His wife – Carol Sue, of the home

Two sons – Gary Johnson of McCune, Kansas

Kevin Johnson of McCune, Kansas

Two daughters – Jennifer Bugner and her husband, Daryl, of Andale, Kansas

Jessica Cosby and her husband, David, of Mound Valley, Kansas

Eight grandchildren –Victoria Doeshal (Aaron), Trevor Johnson (Kylee), Brianne Johnson, Ryan Bugner (Whitney), Tyler Bugner (Chrystine), Taylor Bugner, MaCray Doll (Jared), and Jenna Sioux Lira (Jose)

Nine great-grandchildren

Two sisters – Jane Swank of Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Peggy Minor of Bois d'Arc, Missouri

Numerous nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Gerald Johnson; and one grandson, Chandler Farmer.

The family will receive friends beginning at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, November 14, 2021, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Cherryvale.  The rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m.  The family will again receive friends following the rosary.  The funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 15, 2021, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.  Burial will follow at Mound Valley Cemetery in Mound Valley.

Memorials are suggested to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS  67357.