Donald L. Johns

Donald L. Johns Donald L. Johns died on Sunday, February 10, 2013, from complications of surgery. He was twelve days shy of his 85th birthday. He was a son of A. Walter Johns Jr. and Ethel Wood Johns, brother of Alexander Johns, and husband of Margaret Lashmore Johns, all of whom preceded him in death. Survivors include his daughters, Allyson Johns of Charlottesville, Pamella Joachim and her husband, Michael, of Pelham, Alabama; and his son, Jeffrey Johns of Alabaster, Alabama; grandchildren, Beau Woodling and Holly of Wilmington, North Carolina, Kelly Woodling and Terry Headley-Johnson of Sterling, Virginia, Kevin Woodling and Erika of Charlottesville, Chloe Matheny of Edinboro, Pennsylvania, Bonnie Joachim, and Neal Joachim of Pelham, Alabama. He also leaves five great-grandchildren in whom he found delight, SarahElizabeth Joachim, Elana and Viviann Woodling, and Finnegan and Drostan Headley. A special friend, Barbara Poston, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends, also survive. Don was born on Long Island, New York, on February 22, 1928, where his love of the beach and boating began. He attended New Hampton Prep, and Lafayette College in Pennsylvania where he majored in engineering. He served in the United States Army, stationed in Panama, and was very proud to be a Mason. At a cousins wedding, he met the beautiful and graceful Canadian band singer, Margaret Lashmore. They married in 1950 and settled on Long Island, where Allyson was born. After a few years in Michigan where Pamella was born, they returned to New York where Jeffrey joined the family. They lived for a time in Pennsylvania and North Carolina before calling Charlottesville home for the last several decades. Although he spent some years as co-owner of a large Pontiac agency, his love was working with wood and designing and building homes. He was the long-time owner of D.L. Johns Construction and The Counter Toppers, and acted as a consultant to others. A perfectionist in his work, he was a talented cabinet maker and kitchen designer, and took great pride in the homes his crews built. Many in the Charlottesville area are living in homes that his hands created. He took pride in mentoring young craftsmen and helping many find their path in this world. A loveably irascible grump, he was known affectionately by his co-workers as "The Old Fart", even proudly wearing a cap printed with the moniker. His newest cap sported "Vintage Dude." Don's love of the water carried him through his life, as he lived on Long Island Sound, the largest natural lake in Pennsylvania, and then owned a share in a condo at Virginia Beach. In the last several years, he rented a huge house at the Outer Banks so that all the family could come together for one week in the summer to enjoy each other. True to his generous nature, he had already chosen and arranged for this year's adventure. Although he will miss the trip, the family will all spend a week there this summer, where, as he wished, they will scatter his ashes in the Atlantic. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 16, 2013, in the chapel of Hill and Wood Funeral Home, 1st and Market Street, Charlottesville, immediately followed by a gathering of friends at Fox's Cafe, 403 Avon Street. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in his name to the Building Trades Program, Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center (CATEC), 1000 East Rio Road, Charlottesville, VA 22901.



This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.