Donald Ray Johns

Don is survived by his wife Jeanie (Landers) Johns of the home; brother Murray Connor “Corky” Johns and wife Jane of Midwest City, OK, sister Sue Spencer of Midwest City, OK, brother William “Billy” Johns of Dexter, NM; cousins Nedra Gaynor of OKC, Dick Burch of Plano, TX, Jan Rowsy of Ada, OK, Bobby Johns of Ada, OK, and Eddie Hennigan of Okmulgee, OK; nieces Shelley Losurdo and husband Richard of Midwest City, OK, Debbie Sayre and husband Buddy of Del City, OK, and nephews Steve Spencer and Tisha of Choctaw, OK, and Randy Johns and wife Robin of Edmond, OK and many other friends and relatives. Don was preceded in death by his parents, his grandfather Dr. H.A. Sprague, who had a special influence on Don’s life, his brother, Pete Raney, and three dear aunts, Nedra Burch, Geraldine Kilpatrick and Fay Smith, and uncles Clifford and Richard Johns.

Don lived in Pauls Valley until 1949, then moved to the Midwest City/Choctaw area where he lived until the time of his death. He was a 1953 graduate of Midwest City High School. Don served his country in the US Army from 1954-1956 as a radar technician in Cook Inlet Alaska and was honorably discharged from the Reserves in June 1962. Don began his career at Southwestern Bell Telephone in 1959 where he worked as an installer/repairman for 33 years retiring in 1992 with 30 years perfect attendance. During this time Don met and married Jeanie Landers, the love of his life, on January 3, 1992. Don and Jeanie enjoyed 24 ½ years of marriage together. Some favorite memories included traveling to Colorado and Jackson Hole Wyoming, going to their lake home at Lake Eufaula, following the OSU Cowboys, keeping up their home and enjoying their “Special Grandchildren” Hunter Underwood and Avery and Cade Moore.

Don was a member of Soldier Creek Baptist Church where he thoroughly enjoyed his Men’s Adult II Sunday School Class. Don especially enjoyed assembling care packages for the Military soldiers overseas.

Upon retirement he worked for 5 years for EPI doing telecommunication work. He was a lifetime member of the Telephone Pioneers. Don also worked 5 years as a bus monitor for the Midwest City Public Schools Transportation Department, working with Special Needs Children. Don and the kids immediately bonded and Don would surprise them each Friday with a special treat.

In his spare time, over the years, he enjoyed many hours of fishing with his dear friends Tom Banning and the late Wendell Jones. Other special friends he enjoyed spending time with included the late Noel Starling and the late Benny Samara. Don enjoyed working in his yard, which he kept immaculate. Often times, Don would help with other’s lawns as well “just because” and was known as the neighborhood “Gopher Guy”. Don was a true giver. He always thought of others first, never taking a trip or letting a week go by without doing something or bringing something back for someone else. He had a true passion for life. He enjoyed and was so grateful for the small things... and that laugh ~ when you heard Don laugh, you couldn’t help but laugh along with him ~ it was so contagious!

Arrangements under the direction of Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home, Oklahoma City, OK.