Donald Earl Johnson

FARMINGTON - Donald Earl "Don E." Johnson, of Farmington, passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at the age of 84 years. He was born on September 15, 1929, at Fredericktown, the son of the late Charley Arthur (C.A.) and Hazel M (Seal) Johnson. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Curtis Ray Johnson, his mentor and close friend, D.D. Stout and lifelong friend Paul W. Lewis Don was a member of the Saint Joseph Catholic Church of Farmington. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean war, enlisting on August 14, 1950 and honorably discharged on May 28, 1954. He was a member of American Legion Post 416, Farmington Elks Lodge 1765, and Farmington V.F.W. Post 5896. From 1956 to 1961, he owned and operated Johnson Drilling Company. In September, 1958, Don, Pat and infant son Mike, moved to Farmington from Jefferson City to take advantage of the drilling boom caused by the recent discovery of large ore deposits in the vicinity of Viburnum. Having been use to having access to a large inventory of supplies while in business in Jefferson City, he quickly saw the need for a supply house in Farmington. Don contacted the two owners of Capital Supply Company in Jefferson City and on August 1, 1961, Capital Supply Company of Farmington, Mo, Inc. was founded. In February, 1964, one of the owners, Kenneth Meinhart, passed away. Mr. D.D. Stout and Don purchased his stock. In April, 1965, Don approached Mr. Stout to purchase his stock and Mr. Stout agreed to sell, making Don the sole owner of Capital Supply Company of Farmington. Capital Supply Company expanded, eventually having branches in Pevely, Park Hills, West Plains and Pocahontas, AR. A spin off was Capital Drilling Supply Company, a franchised distributor of Bucyrus-Erie drill rigs, parts and related supplies, covering Missouri, Arkansas and southern Illinois. A spin off of Capital Drilling Supply was CAPCO International, Inc., which exported drill rigs, parts, trucks and supplies. The major customer of CAPCO was Arab Development Company, which had offices in all major countries in the Mid East. CAPCO International was terminated in protest of the oil embargo. Don and Mr. Stout remained close friends and worked together and visited until his death in February, 1991. The same month, Don sold Capital Supply Company with the intention of retiring. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Patricia Kathryn "Pat" (Dollinger) Johnson, three sons, Michael William Johnson and wife Anne, James Charles Johnson and wife Renee, and Ray David Johnson and wife Sherri, all of Farmington, a daughter, Donna Kathryn Ratliff and husband Keith of Farmington; 8 grandchildren, Jacob Johnson, Derek Ratliff, Zachary Johnson, Amy Johnson, Trevor Ratliff, Shelby Ratliff, Seth Johnson and Gracie Johnson; 6 great-grandchildren, Liam Ratliff, Ben Johnson, Reed Johnson, Madison Johnson, Brock Johnson and Olivia Ratliff, all of whom he was very proud. Don stated, "Welcome- for anyone other than my family, this is not a sad occasion. I have merely completed the circle of life, as all living creatures must do. Please take this opportunity to visit with friends, renew old acquaintances and make new ones." Friends may call from 4:30-8 p.m. at the Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory on Friday, March 21, 2014. Holy Rosary will be recited at 7:15 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 22nd at the St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Rickey Valleroy as celebrant. Interment will be at the New Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Farmington. Memorials may be made to Oblate Missions or National Centre for Padre Pio. Share your memories, leave condolences, and view online guest-book at cozeanfuneralhome.com Visitation

Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory

Friday, March 21, 2014 04:30 PM - 08:00 PM 217 W. Columbia St. Farmington, MO 63640 Directions Holy Rosary

Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory

Friday, March 21, 2014 07:15 PM 217 W. Columbia St. Farmington, MO 63640 Directions Interment Service

New Calvary Catholic Cemetery

Saturday, March 22, 2014 State Route H Farmington, MO 63640 Directions Visitation

Cozean Memorial Chapel

Saturday, March 22, 2014 07:00 AM - 09:00 AM 217 W. Columbia St. Farmington, MO 63640 Directions Mass of Christian Burial

St. Joseph Catholic Church of Farmington

Saturday, March 22, 2014 10:00 AM 10 North Long Street Farmington, MO 63640 Directions