Dannie Johnson
December 30, 1946 - March 24, 2022
Obituary
DANNIE WILLIAM JOHNSON Dannie was born in Indianapolis on December 30, 1946. He was named after his heroic uncle, Daniel Weinbrecht, who was shot by a sniper on Guadalcanal in January 1943 while rescuing a fellow Marine who was slowly dying in the noonday sun. Dannie “Dog” Johnson graduated from George Washington High School in Indianapolis with the famed class of 1965 where he played football for hall of fame Coach Bob Springer. Dannie served 5-years (2 yrs. Active/3 yrs. Reserve) in the Army (Rank E-4) and was a driver of a 52-ton tank at Pleiku during the 1968 Tet Offensive in Vietnam. Dannie played in a number of bands starting in 1961 including the Westside Kingsmen, Captain Hook & the Pirates, Marksmen, and finally Color Wheel. Along with his Color Wheel band mates, Dannie performed at the Convention Center for Ronald Reagan's Presidential campaign in 1980. Dog was an active member of VFW Post #908. He was a lifelong hunter and fisherman. He loved visiting with his beloved high school friends. However, his greatest enjoyment was watching his son Ryan and most recently his grandson Evan's sporting events. Dannie's mother and father, Shirley and Frank “Buddy” Johnson, preceded him in death as did cousins Virginia (Smith) Brown, Portia (Smith) Christy, William “Moose” Smith, and Richard Smith. He is survived by his son Ryan (Renea) and grandson Evan Johnson along with Cousins Paulette (Frye) Robison, Frank (Nina) Ballard, Robbie (Lola) Smith and Cherie (Smith) Lenihan. Kathy and John Marth along with Sherry Hawkins were end of life supporters. In Lieu of Flowers please consider donating to HVAF of Indiana: https://www.hvafofindiana.org/donate/
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Memories
JW
Jim Wallace
Other •
My friend Ed Bopp introduced me to Gary Sylvester and Dannie at Butler university in the fall of 1968 right after he returned from Vietnam. We became friends and have been for over 50 years. We hung out a lot from then on. Many trips to Indiana Beach with the Westside boys and the Eastside boys staying at Scoop Taylor's cabin. Scoop, also a Vietnam Vet, and the Dog became buddies and worked and partied a lot. Dannie was always great fun to be around and I have great memories of him. He was always glad to see me and I was glad to see him whenever I came to Indy. My condolences to his family. I was glad to hear that he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in the past few weeks. I'll never forget Dannie "the Dog" Johnson.
TA
Tom , Tunny Anderson
Other •
He was long time neighbrhood buddy, with so many more of us, and sad, we all have to get old, but for me to many good memories of living on the west side, and growing up there. Helped mke me the man I am, THanks to Danny and all the old gang there. I was luck to grow up there, an have so many friends, who help influace my life, Danny, Rest in Peace,
MT
Michael Tibbetts
Other •
I met Danny in my freshman year at GWHS 1961. Thru the years we played football together and hung out with one another. When we came home from the service about 8 or 9 guys formed the Lake Schafer Navy with Gary Sylvester as the Captain. Thru the years after we got regular jobs we still would keep in contact with each other and socialized. Dog is a great friend and fellow veteran. God bless you Dog. I pray that God looks out for your family. You were and still are a good friend. I will miss you and cherish the fun times we had. Rest In Peace.
RB
Regina Bopp
Other •
Dannie has been a friend of mine since grade school at Hawthorne Scool #50. We shared a lot of good, fun times throughout the years. I especially enjoyed your band days with my brother. Those were the best of times.
Eddie and I got a new puppy. His name is Chimi Dog. He is a chihuahua mix and the "Dog" is for Dannie. Eddie and the "south of Washington St." gang had nicknames for each other. Dannie was - Dog. Dannie got to see our puppy, when Eddie took the puppy into the Greenwood Health Center. Dannie asked Eddie what the puppy's name was. Eddie answered "Dog".
Eddie is at Charlie Brown's this morning.
Thanks for the great memories, Dannie.
Regina Bopp
SP
Steve Purichia
Other •
Fond memories of Danny when growing up on the Westside. Fun times at grade school #50 and high school at GWHS. Will always cherish those memories and our friendship. The times have passed much too quickly.
Thanks you, Danny, for your Military Service and for being a true Patriot.
May you RIP!! Your friend, Steve Purichia
SJ
Sandra Jinkins
Other •
I have known Danny since he was a little boy. My parents rented our upstairs on Belleview to his parents when we were small. So many years ago.
Just too many gone too soon. Sandy Porter Jinkins.