Donald F. Johnson

The Honorable Donald F. Johnson, 80, of Cambridge peacefully went home to be with Jesus on Saturday, October 14, 2023.  He was born on December 6, 1942, in Cambridge, Maryland to the late Arthur N. Johnson and Emma (Parks) Johnson Moore.

Donald graduated from Cambridge High School, Class of 1960. He earned his B.S. in 1964 from Salisbury State College and his J.D. in 1969 from University of Baltimore School of Law. He was the Assistant States Attorney for Anne Arundel and Dorchester Counties from 1969-1974. Then he entered private practice until he was appointed Circuit Court Judge for Dorchester County in 1984. During his 20 years serving as the County Administrative Judge for the 1st Judicial Circuit, he was a panel chair for the Health Claims Arbitration Board and a member of the Attorney Grievance Commission. He was a past president of the Rotary Club of Cambridge and on the Board of Directors for the Dorchester General Hospital. He was a member of Grace Methodist Church, Rotary Club, Dorchester Historical Society, Barcca Class, Maryland Bar Association and Dorchester County Bar Association. He enjoyed sailing, woodworking, traveling, spending time with his family, antiquing, and visiting historical sites.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joan Shimer Johnson of Cambridge, a daughter Emmajane Olinde and husband Greg of Fruitland, a son Donald F. Johnson, Jr. and wife Amy Dukes of Wilmington, NC, three grandchildren Grace Olinde, Victoria Olinde and Mason Olinde and fiancée Brooke Planner, two brothers Wayne A. Johnson and wife Donna of Cambridge and Jeffrey L. Johnson of Salisbury, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 10:30am at Grace Methodist Church with Rev. Chris Pettit officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 10:30. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Grace Methodist Church, P.O. Box 815, Cambridge, MD 21613, One Mission Cambridge, P.O. Box 1495, Cambridge, MD 21613 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 909 Progress Circle Ste. 400, Salisbury, MD 21804. Arrangements are in the care of Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge.