Obituary for Donald Ezel "Don" Johnson
Donald Ezel Johnson of Cynthiana, age 74, passed away Sunday morning, January 28, 2024, at his home in rural Harrison County.
Donald was born on December 10, 1949, in Oakdale, Louisiana, to the late Luther “Doc” Ezel and Sylvia Dunn Johnson. Raised near the Calcasieu River in central Louisiana, Don came by his love for the great outdoors naturally. He remained an avid fisherman and hunter until his dying day. Don spent much of his childhood herding cattle and ranging the swamps on his trusty horse, Peanut. Don was also a talented baseball player in his youth. But perhaps his greatest talent was his vocal ability, honed among the acapella Churches of Christ in which he was raised.
After Don’s graduation from Glenmora (LA) High School in 1967, his uncanny sense of direction led him to Winchester, Kentucky, where he enrolled at Southeastern Christian College. It was there, in the school’s acapella choir, that he met the love of his life, Ms. Cheryl Ann Ross of Cynthiana. Their first date consisted of ice cream and a constant stream of lame jokes. Married on June 6, 1969, Don and Cheryl complemented one another nicely. His gregarious personality, her steady discipline, and their shared faith in Christ, forged a marriage that lasted over 54 years.
Don finished his education at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Sociology. While completing his degree, he worked fulltime as a campus police officer. Don also enlisted in the Air Force Reserves, serving six years in the 165th TAC RECON and achieving the rank of Tech Sergant.
Following his graduation in 1972, Don and Cheryl settled in eastern Harrison County and started a family. Don spent most of his career as a salesman in Lexington, working first with Jiffy Fastening Systems, and then with City Electric Motor Company. He later served with the Department of Juvenile Justice in the areas of drug counseling and probation.
Don took an active role in his church and local community. For many years, he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and youth volunteer at Indian Creek Christian Church. He served sixteen years on the Cynthiana-Harrison County-Berry Joint Planning Commission, spoke frequently on behalf of Gideons International, and lent his vocal talents to the Licking Valley Singers. Wherever Don went, he always had a story to tell—some of which were actually true!
Donald is survived by his wife of 54 years, Cheryl Ann Ross; two sons, Darren (Laura Lucas) Johnson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Ryan (Christy) Johnson of Cynthiana; four precious granddaughters, Kaitlin, Lily, Violet and Abigail; a sister, Katherine (Mike) Erwin of Zachary, Louisiana; and nieces and a nephew, Rebecca Bankston, Donna Flurry, Michael Erwin.
He was preceded in death by both parents and a sister, Rebecca Johnson.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, The Gideons International Processing Center, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251; or Salem Church of Christ Cemetery, 4896 Salem Pike, Cynthiana, Kentucky 41031.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024, at 11:00 A.M., at Ware Funeral Home, Cynthiana, KY. Visitation will be the evening prior, Thursday, February 1, 2024, from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., also at Ware Funeral Home. Leading services for the Johnson family will be Adam Wilson and Dale Kendrick, and burial will follow services at Salem Cemetery.
Pallbearers for Don will be Robert Dunn, James Lee Dunn, Curtis Marsh, Leo Kearns, David Nick Graham, Paul Cookendorfer, Jeff Fryman and Jason Boone Florence. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Dwight Lewis, Jimmy Ball, Danny Northcutt, Michael Fuller, William Horn and Mitchell Judy.
View and sign the guest book www.warefuneralhome.com.
Donald was born on December 10, 1949, in Oakdale, Louisiana, to the late Luther “Doc” Ezel and Sylvia Dunn Johnson. Raised near the Calcasieu River in central Louisiana, Don came by his love for the great outdoors naturally. He remained an avid fisherman and hunter until his dying day. Don spent much of his childhood herding cattle and ranging the swamps on his trusty horse, Peanut. Don was also a talented baseball player in his youth. But perhaps his greatest talent was his vocal ability, honed among the acapella Churches of Christ in which he was raised.
After Don’s graduation from Glenmora (LA) High School in 1967, his uncanny sense of direction led him to Winchester, Kentucky, where he enrolled at Southeastern Christian College. It was there, in the school’s acapella choir, that he met the love of his life, Ms. Cheryl Ann Ross of Cynthiana. Their first date consisted of ice cream and a constant stream of lame jokes. Married on June 6, 1969, Don and Cheryl complemented one another nicely. His gregarious personality, her steady discipline, and their shared faith in Christ, forged a marriage that lasted over 54 years.
Don finished his education at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Sociology. While completing his degree, he worked fulltime as a campus police officer. Don also enlisted in the Air Force Reserves, serving six years in the 165th TAC RECON and achieving the rank of Tech Sergant.
Following his graduation in 1972, Don and Cheryl settled in eastern Harrison County and started a family. Don spent most of his career as a salesman in Lexington, working first with Jiffy Fastening Systems, and then with City Electric Motor Company. He later served with the Department of Juvenile Justice in the areas of drug counseling and probation.
Don took an active role in his church and local community. For many years, he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and youth volunteer at Indian Creek Christian Church. He served sixteen years on the Cynthiana-Harrison County-Berry Joint Planning Commission, spoke frequently on behalf of Gideons International, and lent his vocal talents to the Licking Valley Singers. Wherever Don went, he always had a story to tell—some of which were actually true!
Donald is survived by his wife of 54 years, Cheryl Ann Ross; two sons, Darren (Laura Lucas) Johnson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Ryan (Christy) Johnson of Cynthiana; four precious granddaughters, Kaitlin, Lily, Violet and Abigail; a sister, Katherine (Mike) Erwin of Zachary, Louisiana; and nieces and a nephew, Rebecca Bankston, Donna Flurry, Michael Erwin.
He was preceded in death by both parents and a sister, Rebecca Johnson.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, The Gideons International Processing Center, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251; or Salem Church of Christ Cemetery, 4896 Salem Pike, Cynthiana, Kentucky 41031.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024, at 11:00 A.M., at Ware Funeral Home, Cynthiana, KY. Visitation will be the evening prior, Thursday, February 1, 2024, from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., also at Ware Funeral Home. Leading services for the Johnson family will be Adam Wilson and Dale Kendrick, and burial will follow services at Salem Cemetery.
Pallbearers for Don will be Robert Dunn, James Lee Dunn, Curtis Marsh, Leo Kearns, David Nick Graham, Paul Cookendorfer, Jeff Fryman and Jason Boone Florence. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Dwight Lewis, Jimmy Ball, Danny Northcutt, Michael Fuller, William Horn and Mitchell Judy.
View and sign the guest book www.warefuneralhome.com.