Donald
Donald MD
d. June 1, 2012
Obituary for Donald H. Johnson, MD
Retired anesthesiologist Donald Harvey Johnson, MD, died Friday, June 1, 2012, of complications resulting from a fall. He was 81 years old.
Born to school-teachers Robert and Alma Johnson, Don grew up in suburban New Jersey. An exceptionally smart and driven student, he received a full scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania after getting a perfect score on the math portion of his SATs. From there, he followed his childhood calling to be a physician, pursuing medical studies at Philadelphia’s Hahnemann Medical College and an anesthesia residency at Huron Road Hospital in Cleveland.
In the early years of the Vietnam War, Dr. Johnson served in the army at Fort Leavenworth, then spent 35 years as an anesthesiologist at West Jersey Hospital, where his efforts helped save the lives of countless individuals. During his last 15 years there, he also served as the Chairman of the hospital’s anesthesia department.
A man of many passions, Don’s interests included fast cars, photography, computers, classical music, playing the market, the Denver Broncos, and red wine. A gifted tinkerer, Don loved to take things apart and fiddle with them and had been known to rewire entire houses to make them work in ways that suited him best. His love of travel took him around the world, exploring much of Europe, Central and South America, and the Near East.
Don was an avid skier and passed this along to his many children and grandchildren, often taking the whole clan on ski trips to Vermont and upstate New York. This passion eventually led him to retire to Durango in 1995 with his beloved wife Emily, where they spent 10 years living on the mountain before moving to the Animas Valley. He frequently said how lucky he was to have been able to live in such beautiful country.
Don was preceded in death by his youngest daughter Donna Kelly, his sister Mary Ryan, and his first and second wives Betty Johnson and Carolyn Avella.
He is survived by his wife of the past 26 years, Emily Johnson of Durango; brothers Robert Johnson of Cherry Hill, NJ, and David Johnson of St. Petersburg, FL; daughters Elizabeth Johnson of Worcester, MA, Jean Johnson of Ft. Myers, FL, and Patricia Landis of Killeen, TX; and stepsons David Avella of Cherry Hill NJ, Ken Avella of Philadelphia, PA, and Devin Porter of Seattle, WA; as well as seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A service celebrating his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Mercy Medical Center.
Born to school-teachers Robert and Alma Johnson, Don grew up in suburban New Jersey. An exceptionally smart and driven student, he received a full scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania after getting a perfect score on the math portion of his SATs. From there, he followed his childhood calling to be a physician, pursuing medical studies at Philadelphia’s Hahnemann Medical College and an anesthesia residency at Huron Road Hospital in Cleveland.
In the early years of the Vietnam War, Dr. Johnson served in the army at Fort Leavenworth, then spent 35 years as an anesthesiologist at West Jersey Hospital, where his efforts helped save the lives of countless individuals. During his last 15 years there, he also served as the Chairman of the hospital’s anesthesia department.
A man of many passions, Don’s interests included fast cars, photography, computers, classical music, playing the market, the Denver Broncos, and red wine. A gifted tinkerer, Don loved to take things apart and fiddle with them and had been known to rewire entire houses to make them work in ways that suited him best. His love of travel took him around the world, exploring much of Europe, Central and South America, and the Near East.
Don was an avid skier and passed this along to his many children and grandchildren, often taking the whole clan on ski trips to Vermont and upstate New York. This passion eventually led him to retire to Durango in 1995 with his beloved wife Emily, where they spent 10 years living on the mountain before moving to the Animas Valley. He frequently said how lucky he was to have been able to live in such beautiful country.
Don was preceded in death by his youngest daughter Donna Kelly, his sister Mary Ryan, and his first and second wives Betty Johnson and Carolyn Avella.
He is survived by his wife of the past 26 years, Emily Johnson of Durango; brothers Robert Johnson of Cherry Hill, NJ, and David Johnson of St. Petersburg, FL; daughters Elizabeth Johnson of Worcester, MA, Jean Johnson of Ft. Myers, FL, and Patricia Landis of Killeen, TX; and stepsons David Avella of Cherry Hill NJ, Ken Avella of Philadelphia, PA, and Devin Porter of Seattle, WA; as well as seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A service celebrating his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Mercy Medical Center.
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