Annual Charity Poker Run Keeps the Memory of Danny “Turtle” Johnson In the Game

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When a favorite son was memorialized June 4 with an annual poker run that bears his name, a dozen members of his family gathered at Pacific American Legion 320 antique pavilion to cheer on the bikers and vehicle drivers who took the 130 mile ride to play out their poker hands.

Danny Lee “Turtle” Johnson, whose death of an unexpected heart attack on July 15, 2018 at age 52, electrified the community, is remembered each year in this popular annual charity event.

The son of Kenny and Ada Johnson of Pacific, Turtle had a huge following that included his four brothers Steve, Chuck, Kenny and Darrel (who preceded him in death); two sisters Brenda Perkins and Elizabeth Jackson; a daughter, Mercedes Means; the congregation of Historic First Baptist Church; an informal coalition of outdoor enthusiasts; and members of half a dozen motorcycle clubs.

The Turtle Johnson annual poker run, now known simply as the annual Turtle Run, was held on Saturday, June 4, to memorialize the late motorcycle enthusiast, all around bff, and the glow of goodwill that he left in the community.

The day started with biscuits and gravy breakfast at the American Legion Post, prepared by Terry Ruyle, Pam Manuel and Julie Gildehaus.

At 11:30 a.m. approximately 110 bikers and half a dozen vehicles participants took of from the Legion grounds to follow a circuit from Pacific to Steve’s Place in Cadet, Fat Boys in DeSoto, Kenny’s in Barnhart, and Holeshots in Dittmer, and back to Pacific.

They returned to the Legion at 5:00 p.m. to hear the lively sounds of the classic rock n roll group “Little Blue Pill.” And could enjoy a meal of pulled pork sandwiches, bratwurst and hot dogs, prepared by Turtle’s sister Elizabeth Jackson and her crew.

“The live auction was exciting and spirited,” Norbert Gildehaus, event chair said. “Especially when the custom made stainless steel Harley-Davidson bar and shield with the words, “in Remembrance of Turtle Johnson,” wall hanger plaque went on the auction block. When a participant ran Turtle’s brother up to $530 for the item he went over and paid for half of the plaque as a gift.

“This is just another example of how generous the motorcycle community can be.”

Total earnings for the day are not in yet, but the group is certain to have raised over $11,000. Ten percent will go to the American Heart Association and 90 percent will go to the Tri-County Senior Center.

“It was a great day,” Gildehaus said. “We would like to thank American Legion Post 320 for giving us the run of the facility to hold this event.

Turtle Johnson was more than a favorite son. He never held public office or attained great wealth or fame, but wherever he went he made friends. 

His funeral on July 23, 2018, was a testament to friendship. 

No cliché´ could capture the moment when at 8:30 a.m., upwards of 200 motorcycles lined up in pairs to escort Turtle on the 25-mile ride from Midlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Garden in Union to St. Bridget Catholic Church in Pacific where – although they were not catholic – family members waited patiently for a celebration that would last five hours.

Inside the church more than 600 people filled the pews, vestibule and family room. Father James Holbrook said when he received the request to have the funeral service in the church he was uncertain. He asked the Archdiocese of St. Louis to permit the family, who had lost their home church to a flood, to hold their funeral service at St. Bridget. The Archdiocese said yes. 

Turtle’s father, daughter, brothers, sisters, in-laws, myriad uncles, aunts and cousins, friends, pastors from four churches, representatives of five civic organizations, and riders from six motorcycle clubs engaged in chatter, hand shakes and shoulder pats.

I had attended other large Black funerals, but I was  not prepared for the joy of this service in my own church. In my view, this could have been Pacific’s finest hour.

Catholics are by and large quiet for any church service. Not only was this gathering a rainbow coalition of celebrants, it was loud and lively, the most convivial gathering I’ve ever seen in St. Bridget’s.

When his cousin Calvin Ivy offered an a-cappella rendition of Precious Lord the assemblage erupted with healthy round of applause. An when Betty Ivy mentioned how much Turtle liked to barbecue, the sanctuary exploded with applause, laughter and acknowledgement. “Yes, he did.”

His cousins remembered his capacity for goodness, his ability to make everyone he encountered feel good, and his daily Facebook messages of encouragement. 

“And that,” Gildehaus said, “is what all of us gained from knowing Turtle. This annual poker run – now Turtle Run – is a fitting way to keep his memory alive.”