Daniel Donald Johnson

Daniel Donald Johnson’s spirit was released on March 14, 2026 from his worn-out shell of a body at home, surrounded by loving family. Ancient alien theorists believe Dan the Man is now exploring the universe. A celebration of life is planned for Sunday, March 29, 2026 at the Temple Beth Tivkah at 12411 Park Shadows Trail, Houston at 4:00 pm; Rabbi Neal Katz (Congregation Beth El of Tyler) will officiate.
Dan had some serious health problems the last few years but survived them with the help of his wife of nearly 63 years (this April 27th), Joyce; and daughters Ruth (and Edward) Mondich and Dana (and Bill) Philibert, as well as grandchildren Madison (Mondich) McReynolds, Harrison Mondich, and Hannah, Sophie and Jacob Philibert. His best brother and sister-in-law Richard and Carolyn Johnson, and childhood friend Larry Fosson shared some of his last days.
Born October 9, 1939 in Pueblo, Colorado, and although he had a longer than average life span, Dan did not live an average life.  He traveled where he wanted, laughed inappropriately at every chance, learned what he wanted to learn, fixed whatever needed to be fixed, and loved who he wanted to love. 
Dan is preceded in death by his favorite sister, JoAnn, who is likely waiting for him next to the blackjack tables because they were always luckier together, as well as Lovella Jane (Newton) and Royal Thomas Johnson, a pair of the most loving parents a daughter-in-law could wish for. 
Dan graduated from S. F. Austin High School, graduating in 1957. He later attended Sam Houston State University and the University of Houston. He was an enthusiastic life-long learner, often from the school of hard knocks.
Dan rarely embraced starting at the bottom, but his history as a stocker/bagger at Piggly Wiggly Grocery ensured our bread and eggs never came home crushed. He also worked at McKesson Robbins Drug, but when South Park Bank wouldn’t make him Vice President, he left and found a Dun & Bradstreet job listing after rifling through the employment agent’s desk. That opportunity led to the start of Dan and Joyce’s love affair…though she regales her ability to see Dan’s office antics from her teletype machine made her roll her eyes on occasion. He went on to real estate sales and then to a 30-year, award-winning career with Allstate Insurance. Some may call it dreamer, but his family calls it visionary because in between all the paycheck work, Dan also built an extensive real estate portfolio as a legacy for his future generations.
A Lions Club member for over 60 years and more than 30 years of Chamber of Commerce work, Dan was an endless social butterfly. He served on Temple Beth Tivkah’s Board and was the regular go-to for repairs or updates. Dan was happiest over a weekly game of cards with the boys or out fishing. He kept in shape woodworking or completing a long list of self-imposed DIY projects. The wee hours were left for his stamp and coin collecting. Later in life, he shared that he had as much fun finding buyers for his collections as he did hunting for each stamp or coin. Dan was a lifelong blood donor sharing gallons; a true American (Amer-I-CAN) who was up for any challenge, including never passing an electric or light plate without straightening the screws to line up vertically.
Dannyisms we learned to love or live by…“I can’t die if I am still in debt” (optimistic reasoning for acquiring more property to develop—but sadly not true). “All ashore that’s going ashore” (so as not to leave anyone behind). “Stop the pancake machine.” (don’t offer products that are missing items—be reliable). AND “Que Serri, Serri” (it’ll be what’s going to be) And while he wasn’t the biggest music fan, Dan always sang…“a pretty girl is like a melody” when Mom or the girls were getting dressed for an outing.
Known for his long, entertaining stories, which he loved to repeat, Dan was also world-renown for his lack of patience, not holding back his opinion, and a knack for telling it like it is. All who loved him dearly will never forget his tenacity, wit, charm, and undying love and caring for them. He also loved strawberry milk shakes, a medium-rare steak, and taking afternoon naps in his recliner watching Ancient Aliens. By the way, did you hear the story about how he was named for his father’s ice truck mule? 
The family would like to thank the Jacksonville Fresenius dialysis staff, those at the Legacy, the many doctors and nurses at Christus ER and hospital who took great care of him these past three years, and the Hospice of East Texas team who made these final days manageable. 
In lieu of flowers, Dan would hope that you will do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for some poor unfortunate soul in his name. If you’re old-school, donations may be made to the Hospice of East Texas who took such loving care of Dan, as well as Joyce, Dana and Ruth in his final days, or the security fund at Congregation Beth El in Tyler.