Donald Lucas "Smiley" Johnson

Donald Lucas “Smiley” Johnson, age 71, of Newark, DE, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2024. Born in Temple, OK, on July 15, 1952, he was a son of the late Fielder D. Johnson, Sr. and Hershey Wojciechowski. In his youth, Donald was athletic and excelled at playing baseball (he was known for having a mean curveball). He passed along his athleticism and love of sports to his children and grandchildren, and nothing gave him greater pleasure than to attend their games and cheer them on. He was given a stadium chair for Christmas so he would always have a comfortable seat at their events. Donald loved watching sporting events with his family and was often the first one by the TV waiting for everyone to arrive. A big fan of Caitlin Clark, he would always yell “shoot the 3 ball!” when they watched her play. He loved fishing and golfing and challenging his family and friends to a card game or to shoot pool. In his later years, Donald relished the time he spent with his family. He loved to laugh and to make others laugh with his unique sense of humor and entertaining stories. Most importantly, he was a man of faith who would read his Bible every morning and looked forward to attending Word of Life Christian Center each Sunday. In addition to his parents, Donald was preceded in death by his siblings, Fielder Johnson Jr., Clara Shelton, Cleo Johnson, Nadine President, Virginia Anne Johnson, Herbert Johnson, Douglas Johnson, and Felicia Johnson. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Michelle C. (Swift) Johnson; children, Aaron Johnson Sr., Christopher Johnson Sr. (Montoria), Donald E. Johnson Sr., Daniel Johnson (Jamie), and Melissa Gaines (Shawn, Sr.); siblings, Willie Johnson, Victoria Washington, Patricia Jackson (Bobby), Latonia Wojciechowski, and Patrick Wojciechowski; grandchildren, Hesaan, Y’nijah, Tiera (Cornelius), Aaron Jr., Doniyah, Janiya, Vivica, Nykeh, Xyiah, Jayliece, Niyonna, Christopher Jr., Damalia, Shawn Jr., Jacoby, Jazlyn, Naomi, Mikayla, Donald Jr., and Savannah; great-grandchildren, Storie, Knolynn, Zyion, Ashtynn, Champion, and Austynn; and a host of nieces and nephews A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Word of Life Christian Center, 854 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 11 am. Interment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 North DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Donald’s memory to the Pennsylvania Adult & Teen Challenge, c/o Finance Department, P.O. Box 98, Rehrersburg, PA 19550 or online by clicking here.

Donald Lucas "Smiley" Johnson

July 15, 1952 - May 20, 2024