Don L. Johnson Memorial Scholarship

2007 Highlights

The 2007 Don L. Johnson Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Alyssa Christoff.  She plans to attend Eastern Washington University to study Physical Therapy.

2006 Highlights

The 2006 Don L. Johnson Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Laura Simpson.  Laura plans to pursue a career as a paramedic.

 Don L. Johnson

North Kitsap Education Foundation established a memorial scholarship in the name of long time North Kitsap High School teacher and counselor, Don L. Johnson in 2005.  Don began his teaching career at North Kitsap High School in 1963 and retired after 39 years as a teacher and counselor in 2002. 

Don was born in Tacoma in March of 1940.  His father was transferred several times and the family moved each time.  He attended schools in Lakebay, Enumclaw, Sunnyside, Walla Walla, and graduated from Ellensburg High School.  Always a hard worker, Don forked tin cans in railroad cars for Continental Can Company during the summer to earn extra cash to buy his car.  He worked nights, but temperatures in the railroad cars were still over 100 degrees.  He then attended Washington State University where he met his future wife, Nancy, and returned home to Ellensburg, married, and graduated from Central Washington University.

He started his teaching career at North Kitsap in 1963.  While having taught several courses in the business education department, he was a full-time counselor for 35 years.  During most of his years at the high school, Don taught drivers education.  This experience certainly spiced up his day.  Don served a term on the Poulsbo City Planning Commission, served as President of the North Kitsap Education Association in the late 1960's and was President of the five-state regions of the Pacific NW Association of College Admissions Officers and High School Counselors in 1990-1991.

During the summers, Don worked for a berry packing company on Bainbridge Island.  He hauled strawberries from Vashon Island to Bainbridge Island, helped pack the berries, and then drove the finished product to Seattle to the ice house.  He worked 20 to 22 hours some days, at times sleeping in his car at the plant.

Don was a husband, father, and grandfather who loved and enjoyed his family, always putting their needs before his own.  His son, Scott, played football at North Kitsap High School and his twin daughters, Cindi and Wendi, played basketball at the high school.  For many years he was called the "Voice of the Vikings" as he announced football games, boys and girls basketball games, and sometimes track.

Some of his favorite times involved the many camping trips with family and friends.  In the early years it was tenting (it always rained), then moving up to an eight foot camper and finally in retirement camping with a fifth wheel trailer.  He loved golfing, fishing, and the company of friends.  Most of all, Don loved to tease.  Whether you were family, friend, coworker, or someone he just met, he would be sure to tease until he got that smile or laugh.

He always enjoyed his counseling position a the high school wanting to help students during their high school years and with their post high school plans.  He was very involved with the scholarship program, trying to help as many students as possible with their continuing education. Don was always the listener, believing in commitment, sacrifice, hard work, duty, integrity, and moral courage, always putting others first.  He loved people.

Previous Recipients

Kelli Gillespie was awarded the inaugural Don L. Johnson Memorial Scholarship in 2005.  She attends Linfield College.

            Donations to the Don L. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made to North Kitsap Education Foundation,  PO Box   1236, Kingston, WA 98346.