Donald Jackson Johnson

Atlanta businessman Donald Jackson Johnson, 89, left this earthly home on January 19, 2013 to rejoin his wife, Thelma Scott Johnson in heaven. Don and his wife had lived in Atlanta most of their 69 years of marriage and for the past 6 years had resided at Canterbury Court on Peachtree. Don was the son of the late Rev. Andrew Jackson Johnson and Verlin Brownlee Johnson of Snellville. He is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Melinda Johnson McChesney (Don E. McChesney) and Donna Marie Johnson (Richard E. Dew Jr.), all of Atlanta. Don is known as a loving devoted husband and father. He is also survived by brother, Jim Johnson of Duluth, sisters, Ruth Smith (Leonard Smith), Penny Burton (Marvin Burton) both of Grayson, and Brenda Robbins (Maurice Robbins) of Braselton, and sister-in-law, Dixie (Peavy) Johnson of Grayson. Preceding his departure were brother, Weyman T. Johnson and sisters, Allene Johnson and Dixie Strickland. He is survived and loved by many nieces and nephews of this large family. Growing up in Snellville, he attended Snellville High School where he graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 1940. He completed two years of college at Rabun Gap Nacoochee Jr. College where he graduated in 1942. He worked at La Tourneau in Toccoa, Georgia, where he met Thelma and married her on August 15, 1943. After enlisting with the Army Air Force, he served in the Philippines and the repatriation of Japan during World War II. He was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant. Returning to Atlanta after the war he and his wife made their home in Atlanta, where he attended Georgia Tech and the Atlanta Division of UGA. He graduated from the University of Georgia Atlanta division with his degree in accounting and business. He learned the floor covering business while working for Builders Specialties Co. Then using his skills, training, and much hard work started his own floor covering distributorship as Johnson Wholesale Floors, Inc. in May 1963. Since then the company has grown from one location in Atlanta to four additional locations including Knoxville, TN, Birmingham, AL, Jacksonville, FL, and Orlando, FL. Today the company is known as one of the leading flooring distributors in the southeast because of the leadership, vision, and integrity of Donald J. Johnson. He has also served his industry outside of the company by serving on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Floor Covering Distributors and the FLEX Program of Credit for Retailers. He is respected by vendors, competitors, and customers for his honesty and integrity. His legacy lives on in the dedication of all of the company's employees today. Don J. Johnson was a faithful member of Peachtree Baptist Church for 60 years. His service to the Lord included singing in the Choir, Director of BTU, serving several terms as deacon, and serving as chairman of several church was a faithful member of Peachtree Baptist Church for 60 years. His service to the Lord included singing in the Choir, Director of BTU, serving several terms as deacon, and serving as chairman of several church committees. In spite of his long hours working at the business, he always remained faithful to the Lord and to Peachtree Baptist Church. Due to renovation work at Peachtree Baptist Church, the funeral service will be held, 2:30 pm, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, at Smoke Rise Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Peachtree Baptist Church, 2108 Briarcliff Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.


Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033