On Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, Donald Walter Johnson, loving husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa, passed away at the age of 86. He lived in Santa Maria.

Don was born on Nov. 17, 1933 in Olin Township, North Carolina, to Charles and Lena Johnson.

On Dec. 9, 1965, Don married the love of his life Gaile Schick. Together they raised a blended family of three daughters Kimberly Human (Ken), Leslie Livesay and Sharon San Juan (Julius), and two sons Ron Johnson and Bruce Nixon.

Don was the proud grandpa of Lindsay, Matthew (Tiare), and Kenny, and great-grandpa of Isabella and Madilynn.

As a young man, Don worked for Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Co. in Baltimore, Maryland, before joining the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft mechanic, where he served on the support crew for the first F-4 fighter jet. He retired from the Air Force in 1974 after a 20-year career, serving in Korea, Vietnam and Germany.

Following Don’s career in the Air Force, he and Gaile owned Los Alamos Import Antiques, where they combined their love of travel and antique hunting. Never one to sit still long, Don opened Don Johnson’s Clock Repair working on clocks old and new.

Don also collected and restored vintage cars and was a member of the Lompoc Antique Automobile Club.

Don lived every day to the fullest and never met a stranger. He was well-loved by his family and his wide circle of friends.

Don was preceded in death by his mother, father, and two brothers Charles and George Johnson. He will be interred at the National Cemetery in Bakersfield, California.

To leave a condolence for the family, visit www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com.