Don David Johnston

May 10. 1959- August 19, 2025
Don David Johnston was born in Powell, Wyoming on Mother's Day, May 10, 1959, to Don and Barbara Johnston. He grew up in Oklahoma and worked summers at the J&J Garage on Main Street in Oklahoma City from the age of 13. Upon graduating from Capital Hill Automotive Vo-Tech at Capital Hill High School he was employed full-time at the J&J Garage.
On May 16, 1977, Don married his high school sweetheart, Susan Elizabeth Clifton, and the two had a grand 43-year adventure together until Susan's death in March of 2020.
In 1981, at the age of 22, Don purchased the J&J from John R Ward and renamed the shop Don's J&J. Don became Oklahoma's first Master Mechanic, ASE certified, tests Al to A8. Don was the mechanic people went to when no one else could figure out an automotive problem.
Don loved mathematics and often said, "All of life is mathematics." He was very curious and could fix anything mechanical. He was also a gifted teacher. Don was kind, generous, fun and philosophical. He loved his family, enjoyed traveling, liked motorcycles, cars, racing, working manipulative puzzles, going to the lake, fishing, reading Scientific American and discussing politics.
Don Johnston was a gentleman and a man of integrity who was admired, respected and loved by his family and friends. He died August 19, 2025, and will be missed every day.
Don is survived by his mother, Barbara Ward Floyd; his 'sister posse': Stephanie Nowlin, Pamela Bird, Mary Ann Terral, and Becky Garza; and brother John Cromwell.
Services to be held at a later date