Danny Lynn Johnson

November 23, 1947 – September 3, 2015

Danny Lynn Johnson, 67, died September 3, 2015 in Ardmore, OK from complications related to his dementia. He had been in hospice care at the Ardmore Veteran’s Home since April and died peacefully in his sleep.

Danny Lynn Johnson was born November 23, 1947 to Gurney and Ernestine Johnson in Great Bend, Kansas and passed from this life on September 3, 2015. He was the youngest of 3 boys. His parents and brother, Jerry Ray, preceded him in death and he is survived by his brother Richard.

He was married to the former Lydia Roberson, a 1965 Ardmore High School classmate, and had 3 children – Brian Michael Johnson and his wife Christine of Guthrie, Holly Danise Qualls and husband Michael of Oklahoma City, and Kelly Lynne Johnson and partner Brandon Swanson of Edmond. Dan had 7 grandchildren – Joshua, Justin, Victoria, Cada, Michael, Alexandra and Michaela and a great grandson, Liam. Dan also has a new grandchild due to be born in March 2016.

His work was spent in his passion, law enforcement training, and hundreds of officers across the state considered him not only a teacher, but a mentor and friend. He was Executive Director of CLEET (Council of Law Enforcement Education and Training), Oklahoma’s Chief Park Ranger, and retired from OSU/OKC where he was a professor of police science.

Those who knew Danny were familiar with the loves of his life: wild and crazy ties, funny t-shirts, bulldogs, golf, Motown, Elvis, his dog Lucy, Oklahoma’s police community, teaching, OU football, and studying the Bible.

Danny was diagnosed with dementia in December 2011 and his family would like to request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association. The family would also like to extend their gratitude to the following people and caregivers: Ardmore Veteran’s Center, Unit 1, Brightstar Care of Edmond, his VA HBPC care team at the Oklahoma City VA hospital, and Cross Timbers Hospice in Ardmore. Lastly, the family would like to extend a special appreciation to Danny’s nephew Jeff Johnson for being with him when he passed.

Danny’s memorial service will be held at Southern Hills Christian Church in Edmond, Oklahoma, on Thursday, September 10th at 2:00 pm with reception to follow.