Don Johnson

Donald Johnson

Don Johnson passed away on July 15, 2024

Spouse: Peggy
Children: 5
Grandchildren: 12

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Donald "Don" G. Johnson

Donald G. Johnson “Don” passed away on July 15, 2024, in the comfort of his home. A visitation will be held on Friday, July 19, 2024, from 12:00 pm until 2:00pm at Cornerstone Church in Anniston. A funeral service will be held the same day starting at 2:00 pm. A graveside service will follow at Munford Baptist Cemetery. Pastor Michael Cox, Pastor Eddie Robertson, and Bishop Lewis Jones will be officiating the services.

Don was born 12/28/1943, in the middle of WW2. His dad was an auto mechanic. His mom was a waitress. His parents divorced when he was a toddler. He rarely saw his dad, and his mom raised her kids on a waitress paycheck, moving around often and marrying multiple times. In spite of the instability in his family, his mother made sure they got to church and he accepted Jesus as his Savior at 8 years old, and God became his Father, giving him the strength and security to overcome many obstacles in his life. He graduated from Gulfport High School in 1961, where he still has many treasured friends. He married at 18 years old and had 2 children, Kirk, then Matthew, while working his way through college.
Don graduated from Parks College, St. Louis University, in Aerospace Engineering in 1967 and was commissioned as a Captain of the U.S. Air Force upon graduation. He was in the U.S. Air Force for 9 years, where he served proudly as a pilot during the Vietnam War, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Vietnam Service Award, and various other military honors. He was also an instructor pilot for the Air Force. His third child, Nanette, was born while he was serving in Vietnam. Tim was added to the family after the war, during the babylift of war orphans. He worked as a Design Engineer, a Propulsion Engineer, a Corrosion Specialist, and a manager of a metal distributorship, all as part of God’s training for eventually running his own company. After a divorce, and a move from Louisiana to Alabama, he started Metal Samples Co in 1980, with only $5000 and tremendous faith in God. He survived the first year of business with only $8000 in profit, then met Peggy and married in 1981. Michel came along 4 years later, completing their family. He went on to build the business with over 220 employees and thousands of customers worldwide, accomplishing things that others would have never tried, because his faith in God gave him boldness to take risks. He won the Special Achievement Award from the Small Business Administration, and the Citation of Merit Distinguished Company Award by NACE International in recognition of outstanding and sustained contributions to the field of corrosion science and engineering. He was so proud of all of his children and grandchildren, and wanted so much for them all to be happy, and blessed by God. He was never pretentious, in spite of his success, and took a lot of joy in helping others. He was generous and enjoyed helping people in times of need, and in allowing God to use him to bless those who served God in Ministry. He supported many ministries around the world, and orphanages as well. He had a heart for orphans, as he often felt like one himself growing up.

His greatest joy was to share Jesus with others. He loved going on the mission field, as well as sharing with others he met every day about what God had done for him. He wanted everyone to know how God had set him free from a generational bondage in his life 25 years ago, and that freedom was available to everyone who was willing to repent and receive deliverance. That is why he wanted to be buried in a shirt that says “FREEDOM”! He always looked forward to the time he would see Jesus, and had no fear of death at all. He loved to fly, and said he was going to ask Jesus for a spaceship so that he could explore the universe:)

Don is survived by his Wife, Peggy; 5 children, Kirk Johnson (Angelle), Matthew Johnson (Tina), Nanette Mudiam (Sai), Tim Johnson (Jessica), Michel Perales (Steven); brother, Robert Johnson, & sister-in-law, Jeanie; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Fred & Ealar Pritchard, Dennis & Marybeth Pritchard; grandchildren, Taylor Barnett (Chad), Reilly Johnson, Denham Johnson, Nathan Johnson (Tawny), Colby Johnson (Rebekah), Dylan Johnson (Cecilia), Ariana Johnson, Jazmine Erwin (Ryan), Pavan Mudiam (Chelsea), Tyler Johnson (Madison), Sydnee Johnson, Samuel Johnson, Julia Johnson, Bentley Perales, and Maverick Perales; 9 great-grandchildren; 3 nieces and 2 nephews as well as many friends who he loved as family.

Pallbearers will be Nathan Johnson, Colby Johnson, Dylan Johnson, Denham Johnson, Pavan Mudiam, Tyler Johnson, and Samuel Johnson.

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived, what God has prepared for those
who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

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On February 1, 2021 Don shared an article about his company, Alabama Specialty Products, that was published in Tools for Success magazine

Click here -- "A Global Effort: Alabama Specialty Products" as seen in Tools for Success magazine

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After high school, I attended Ole Miss for one year and then transfered to St. Louis Univ. where I finished with a BS in Aerospace Engineering. By this time I was married with two boys and headed to my first assignment in the Air Force. I completed 5 years in the Air Force which took me all over the world as a C-141 pilot, one tour in Viet Nam and finished as a combat instructor pilot.

My first real job was working for Martin Marietta Aerospace in Orlando. Then Bell Aerospace in N.O.L.A where I joined the Air Force Reserves and flew C-130's for four years before my hatred of the Air Force was greater than my love of flying. My next job was working with Monsanto which prepared me for my next career. Several years later I found myself fired from my job, divorced, and with four kids. At this point I turned to God for divine help which lead me in to starting my first business.

With God's blessing, our company has grown to over 200 employees with world wide sales. My sons and my son-in-law all work with me in creating new products that challenge our engineering abilities.

With more free time I am now pursuing my real passion working with some overseas missionaries traveling to mainly South American countries. We also work with several children's homes. My second wife, Peggy, and I have been married over 20 years and enjoy traveling with our 16 year old daughter.