Don Johnson

Donald Albert Johnson, 74, of Idaho Falls, passed away unexpectedly on October 26, 2025. He was at his happy place of Camp Tam A Man A Wis doing maintenance in the middle of a snowstorm and fell.

This forever soccer referee and lifelong Girl Scout volunteer was born to Rosemary and Walter Johnson in Tucson, Arizona, on August 14, 1951. He went on to be the big brother to six younger siblings. After high school, he joined the Navy in 1972, which is where he met and married his wife, Anne Patricia Degenhardt on August 5, 1978, in La Puente, California. Don frequently referred to her as his better 3/4s. They went on to have three children: Beth, Chris, and Rose. He loved his family immensely! It was through his kids’ activities he became an avid soccer coach and referee, continuing this passion until only this past summer when age started to slow him down. One of his greatest joys was having his son become a referee with him. When he wasn’t on the soccer field, you could find him up at the Girl Scout Camp above Swan Valley, Camp Ta-man-a-wis, pouring his blood, sweat, and tears in building new platforms, clearing downed trees, maintaining the lodge, and keeping the generators and propane tanks running. It started every spring when the snow would melt and the water needed to be turned on at the spring box, and end every fall when he’d retrace his steps to turn it off before the water froze for the winter. Don helped his best friend, Ralph Fearnow, build stables and bring the horses his daughter loved so much back to the camp. He spent the past few years of his life working as a GED tutor, first at The Haven and then for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center. He was passionate about learning and thought everyone deserved a second chance to earn a GED and be more successful in life.

What things did Don love most: Star Wars, Star Trek, Yellowstone, Chandler Bing, Kenny Rogers, Toby Keith, anchovy pizza, In and Out Burger, and his weekly lottery ticket. He loved the numerous trips to Disneyland; first as a child, then experiencing the magic all over again with his children and grandchildren. The infamous Jungle Cruise “Backside of Water” joke never once failed to make him laugh.

One of Don’s greatest joys was watching his children start families of their own. He had just returned from a trip to North Dakota for Suzie’s 2nd birthday. He never missed an opportunity to go watch or participate in his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids birthdays, weddings, and graduations.

Don is survived by his loving wife; their three children, Elizabeth Kiester (Timothy) of Union Bridge, Maryland; Christopher Johnson (Marcie) of Rexburg, Idaho, and Rose Croce (Spencer) of Grand Forks, North Dakota; five grandchildren, Brayten Hawkinson, Jordyn Cicon (Jacob), Preslee Johnson, Kaiya Kiester, and Susannah Croce; four great grandchildren, Jameson, Chandler, Xayden, and Ariella; and five of his siblings, Deborah Johnson, Phyllis Patnott (John), Kenneth Johnson (Mary Jo Sinutko), Patricia Johnson-Gillett (David), and Sandra Johnson-Buckholtz (Ron).

He is preceded in death by his mother, Rosemary Loubey Johnson; father, Walter Johnson; and brother, Gerald Johnson.

We are inviting all his friends and family to join us Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 3-5 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road in Ammon. Military Honors will be held at 4:30 p.m. by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and United States Navy Honor Guard. This will be a causal gathering. Dress of your choice. A celebration of life for family will be held next summer once the leaves are back on the trees at the camp.