Bryan, Texas
May 5, 1926 - May 23, 2009 Donald Cargill Johnson, 83, of Bryan, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2009. A private family service was held on Sunday, May 24, 2009. Don was born to Margaret and Carl Johnson on May 5, 1926. After graduating from Proviso High School, Chicago, Ill. in 1944, he...
Read MoreThese entries have brought back so many good memories of DJ. He was just the best. We were lucky to have him as a teacher, a mentor and a friend.
Denise Richter
June 30, 2009 | Lafayette, LA
I certainly hope DJ's family knows how much he was loved and respected by his students, especially The Battalion staff. What a wonderful journalist and teacher. Once you got him to laugh, you knew everything would be ok. One of my fondest memories was of DJ driving the van to the Southwest Journalism Convention -- he was just one of the gang and we had a blast! My heartfelt sympathy to the Johnson family. ##
Colette Dean
June 23, 2009 | Baton Rouge, LA
I second every word Loren wrote. I even still have one of those typed yellow memos framed on a wall at my house. It starts out something like this: "Last night was pretty much a total disaster..."
He was a good journalist, good teacher and a good man.
Rest in peace, DJ.
Scot Walker
June 04, 2009 | Bryan, TX
My sympathy to Mr. Johnson's family. He was a great boss and friend, and I'm honored to have known him. He was a newsman through and through--looking at all sides of an issue--but that made him a good manager. His candid nature prevented staffers from veering too far off the path, but he gave them enough room to make mistakes so that lessons would be learned (earned?). He was a wonderful mentor to the J-students who were lucky enough to work with him, and I'm sad for the others who didn't...
Sandra Bragg
June 03, 2009 | New Braunfels, TX
DJ taught me more about newspapering than anyone. As Batt editor, I'd arrive at my office in the morning to find his yellow memo, always folded in half, waiting on my desk. Often, it was a blistering review of everything that had gone wrong the day before, yet his criticism was always constructive (and always right). He was like our own Lou Grant, and I'm a better journalist for having known him. They don't make them like DJ anymore, and our industry is the worse for it. -30-
Loren Steffy
June 03, 2009 | Houston, TX
I am sorry to hear of Don's passing. The students, faculty and staff in the Journalism Dept. were lucky to have such a great leader and teacher.
Tina Urich Weido
June 01, 2009 | Bryan, TX
To express our deep sympathy to you on your loss. We thank Mr. Johnson for serving our country in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WW II. You were a member of "the greatest generation". May God's Speed Be With You Airman.
cjo
The American Legion, Earl Graham Post 159
May 31, 2009 | Bryan, TX
Micki
We were very sorry to hear of Don's passing. He was a great inspiration, teacher and friend. Hard to believe it's been more than 30 years since we met.
Lee and Beth Leschper
TAMU '79 and '80
Lee Leschper
May 31, 2009 | Anchorage, AK
