Donald L. Johnson Jr.

Don was born September 16th, 1974, in Newark, New Jersey to Donald L. Johnson Sr. (Deceased) and Deborah Elizabeth Fuller Johnson.

Don was the second eldest of 4 siblings. His family spent his elementary years living between North Carolina and California, while spending every summer at his great grandmothers in his birthplace of Newark, NJ.

Don attended elementary school in Stedman, NC and Irvine, CA. During his 6th grade year, his family permanently relocated to California. Don was a student-athlete and graduate of Corona Senior High School in 1992. He went on to play Collegiate Football at Riverside College and completed his time as a Student-Athlete at Asusa Pacific University.

From 1999-2002 Don played Arena Football for the Idaho Stallions, Portland Prowlers, and Los Angeles Avengers.

Don went on to coach at Riverside City College before moving back to his prior arena football home in the Pacific Northwest. In Oregon he focused on developing NFL prospects through Complete Sports Management. He then transitioned to developing young high school athletes and preparing them for college.

In Reno, NV Don coached at Hug High School. In the Pacific Northwest he was a head coach for Aloha High School, Evergreen High School, Milwaukie High School, Madison High School, and Jefferson High School.

In 2019 Don joined the University of Oregon as the Director of Recruiting and Player Personnel. In February of 2022 he suffered a medical emergency on campus and remained hospitalized and in rehabilitation for an extended period. His emergency resulted in continued medical therapy and caring for an Anoxic Brain Injury. Don returned to the University of Oregon in September of 2022 with accommodations to pursue his passion of helping young athletes. He was later released of his duties.

After his 2022 medical incident, Don fought tirelessly to recover with support from family and close friends. His anoxic injury changed his demeanor and memory and made it difficult for him to convey his needs on certain days. This same injury prevented him from receiving additional healthcare support due to the inability for him to manage daily requirements. Don found comfort in phone calls with those surrounding him, video games with those he had previously mentored or coached and providing feedback on film which proved to be a strength despite the magnitude of his treatment regimen. Don only wished to remain at work and contribute via his passion of coaching and helping student athletes.

On July 15, 2024, Don Jr. passed away at home.

Donald Leslie Johnson Jr. is survived by his son, Keenan Speer-Johnson; daughter, Ciara Johnson; mother, Deborah Fuller Johnson; sister, Denise Johnson-Scott (Gary Scott); sister, Leanna Catron; niece and nephews, Brandon Johnson, KaVaughn Scott, Takara Scott, Nevin Scott, Dominic Salazar Johnson, Kiara Johnson; grandmother, Liz Carter; and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Duane LeVar Johnson (2002); father, Donald L. Johnson Sr. (2023); grandfather, Sonnie Johnson (2008); grandfather, Donald C Fuller (1989), and grandmother, Jean Battle (1960).

A Celebration of Life will be held in California at a later date. More details to come.