in loving memory - don johnson

It is with great sadness and sense of loss that I write of the death of Don Johnson, the General Manager and Concierge at the Randolph Park Hotel in Tucson. Born in 1955 in Shelbyville, Indiana, Don lost a brief battle with cancer on December 18, 2007 at the age of 52. He faced the disease as he did every day of his life - head on, eyes wide open, and with a smile on his face. The city of Tucson and the state of Arizona have lost a tremendous representative and resource. The family allowed me the privilege of saying a few words at Don's funeral that I have posted below for those who could not attend.

For family and friends who mourn Don, I sincerely hope that sadness and pain soon turn into happy, joyful memories.

Kind Regards,
Tom Ruberto

GOODBYE MY FRIEND

Good evening everyone. My name is Tom Ruberto - Don and I were very close friends. On behalf of Don's brother Rick and his sister-in-law Debbie I want to thank you all for coming tonight. I think I can speak for everyone when I say to Rick and Debbie that we are so sorry for your loss.

"Call me little brother... there is a great big branch on the tree of life sitting right in front of you and I'm afraid that you are not going to climb it." I had told Don prior to this phone message that he left for me that I was thinking of hiking down to Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon with my teenage daughter Danielle. Don was calling to make sure that I followed through and made the arrangements. "Do you know what we do for a living?" he asked me when I returned his call. "We make memories. People come to Arizona on business or vacation and we help create life long memories. And it doesn't matter if you are a concierge, the general manager of a hotel, a magazine owner, a waitress or a janitor - we all contribute to the experience. And if we all have done well, someday these visitors will say to someone... Do you remember that fantastic trip to Arizona? That's our reward. And you have the chance to create one of these memories with your daughter - so just do it." Before hanging up the phone I assured Don that I would climb the branch in front of me.

I know, you are probably wondering what this branch on the tree of life is all about.

About a year and a half ago, we were on a FAM (familiarization) trip up in Sedona. Don and his dear friends Johnny and Donna had been shopping - I know, big surprise that Don was shopping - and I wanted to get a picture of this dynamic trio. In the middle of the Tlaquepaque Arts and Craft Village stood a beautiful, majestic tree with a big, juicy branch hanging low. "I want to sit on that branch," Don said. "It's pretty high Don," I replied. Don insisted. So I found him a chair. He moved it under the tree, and grabbed, climbed and shimmied his way onto the branch. I snapped the photo - it's a wonderful shot of the three of them (see below).

Later that night after a long day of touring and a few glasses of wine, I asked Don why he was so possessed about climbing the tree and sitting on that branch. I did not know how loaded a question I had asked!

"Life is alot like climbing a tree little brother (that was his nickname for me). You start off on the ground wondering how you'll ever get up there. Once you make it to the first branch things get interesting. Life has many branches - each one a new person or experience. There is joy in all of the branches. And if you're good and true and careful, someday you'll make it to the top of the tree. Once there little brother, you have a wonderful view, everything is clear, and you understand what life is all about. Today, I actually and metaphorically climbed a branch." I looked Don in the eye and said, "Sweet Mother of God, Don, that was beautiful." He paused, looked at me, and dead-panned "I know, I'm a beautiful person!" We laughed uncontrollably for the rest of the evening.

We throw words around today so much that the meanings get diluted. But here are a few that suited Don... humble, genuine, loyal, warm, lovable, unassuming, magnetic, sincere, respected. I believe his dear friend Johnny captured his essence when she said that whenever Don walked into a room, the event turned into a family gathering.

As for me, I can tell you that there are few people I respected more than Don. People in Tucson gave me the benefit of the doubt without knowing me because I was a friend of Don's. What a testament to the character of a man. I'm a better person for knowing Don and will always be proud to call him friend.

I do not understand why Don is gone. I expressed anger at his illness during one of my hospital visits with him and he reminded me of my father's favorite prayer...

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.

For those who knew and loved Don, I wish for you serenity during this time of mourning.

During the last conversation we had, Don assured me that he was going to stop climbing for awhile and concentrate on the branch he was on - fighting the cancer. What Don didn't realize, or more likely was too polite to let on, is that he had reached the top of the tree long ago. The meaning of life was simple to him - family, friends, duty, service and joy.

Goodbye my dear friend. How we will all miss your smile. I take such comfort knowing that you made it to the top of the tree... please watch over us all as we keep climbing.