Donald LeRoy Johnson

Donald LeRoy Johnson of Hyde Park, Utah, passed away on December 3, 2024. He was born October 5, 1928, in Ulm, Montana, to Charles Everet Hilton/Johnson and Media Sophia Anderson Johnson. He was the youngest of eleven children, all of which preceded him in death.  

Donald married Florence Willison on December 20, 1947. (deceased)  They had two children, Karen Shafer (Donald, deceased) and Michael D. (Shonna Maughan). They were later divorced. 

Donald and Carol Kirby were married on April 24, 1953. They had five children, Joyce Creech (Herb), Donna Alexander (Stephen), Nyla Williamson (Donie), Stephen Mark (deceased), and Lloyd K. (Susan Hendry). Their posterity includes twenty-seven grandchildren, fifty-five great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. 

Growing up in Hyrum, Utah, Donald developed a love for the outdoors, camping, fishing and hunting. His love for motorcycles began at an early age and continued throughout his lifetime. He spent many days riding the roads of North America. He also loved to fly and after qualifying for his pilot’s license flew over Cache Valley and the Western US.  In 1946, he graduated from South Cache High School in Hyrum, Utah.

Donald was a gifted mechanic and worked for Wilson Motor in Logan, Utah, for forty-four years. He built many motorcycles and a home-built airplane in his shop, along with countless other projects that utilized his talents. He also built the family home.

Donald and Carol served a fulltime LDS Mission in the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo West Mission from December 2003 to June 2005. He enjoyed his time there and learned to love the people, becoming fairly fluent in Spanish.  

Services will be held on December 9, 2024, at the Center Street Church located at 65 East Center Street, Hyde Park, Utah. The viewing will be from 10:30 am to 11:30 am with the funeral to follow at noon. Interment will be in the Hyde Park Cemetery.