
Don A. Johnson, 87, of Salina, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 1, 2025, at Salina Regional Health Center following a sudden illness. A lifelong resident of Saline County, Don was still working on his beloved farm near Kipp just days before his passing. Even in his final days, he remained fiercely independent and left this life on his own terms, surrounded by family.
Don was born on June 13, 1938, on the family farm to Albert and Elsie Johnson. He was the youngest of three brothers and developed a deep connection to the land from a young age. While he fondly remembered milking cows and tending to the family's many chickens as a boy, he never hesitated to remind others that he happily left those particular chores behind in adulthood.
He attended Kipp his entire school life graduating in 1956. Don was very active in extracurricular activities, in particular including music and sports. His love of baseball and basketball continued throughout his life and as he was a passionate fan of the Kansas Jayhawk basketball and Kansas City Royals. In fact, he attended a Royals game as recently as June. He attended Kansas Wesleyan for one year, during which the Dean asked him to room with Hungarian refugee Andrea Toth, who would go on to become a lifelong friend. After his first year at Wesleyan, he decided to return to the farm full-time.
Don met the love of his life, Margie Newman, in high school, and they were married on December 12, 1959. Their partnership spanned 62 years until Margie’s passing, a testament to their devotion through both triumphs and trials.
In earlier years, Don and Margie raised Basset Hounds and were active members of the Salina Kennel Club, where they formed many cherished friendships. Don was a lifelong outdoorsman who loved training coyote hounds and bird dogs, spending countless days hunting quail and pheasant or fishing his favorite spots.
Farming was not just Don’s livelihood; it was his identity. He and Margie weathered the unpredictable nature of farm life, including the destruction of their home by a tornado and hailstorm in 1969. Retirement was never in Don’s vocabulary; he remained committed to the farm and the community that shaped him.
Don’s greatest passion over the past 50 years was his Angus cattle. What began in the early 1980s with his daughter Linda’s interest in showing heifers grew into a respected registered Angus herd known for its strong-producing cows. As the herd expanded, Don built lasting relationships with customers, always prioritizing the success of his animals in their herds over financial gain. A true cattleman, Don believed in calm, respectful handling and took great pride in his integrity, honesty, and commitment to providing the very best bulls to those he served.
Don had a gift for friendship and never lost touch. His phone had over 200 contacts in his phone and though only half are still living, he made a point to call and check in with as many as he could.
Throughout his life, Don was actively involved in a variety of community organizations. He served on the board of the Rural Water District No. 2 and was a volunteer fireman for the Kipp Fire Department. He was also active in the Saline County Conservation District. In 2023, the Kansas Bankers Association honored him with the Water Quality Award. Additionally, he was a member of the Kansas Angus Association. In recent years, he attended services at the Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church.
Don lived his whole life for his immediate and extended family. He is survived by his daughters Dr. Dawn Johnson of Houston, Texas, and Linda Egger (Dan) of Columbus, Nebraska. His grandchildren, Caylie Prauner (Payton) of Norfolk, Nebraska, Torie Egger of Elkhorn, Nebraska, Lane Egger of Salina, KS, and great grandchild, Parker Prauner of Norfolk, Nebraska. Don and Margie never thought twice of driving hours to see them showing animals and the best times were when they spent days with Grandma. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Don will be held at Ryan Mortuary on August 6, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.
Services for Don will be held at Ryan Mortuary on August 7, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
A private burial for the family will follow at Gypsum Hill Cemetery.
A luncheon for all will be held afterward at the Kipp Volunteer Fire Department.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kipp Volunteer Fire Department or Mount Pleasant Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
Don Johnson leaves behind a legacy of perseverance, love for the land, devotion to family, and a quiet strength that will not be forgotten.