Douglas Johnson

   Doug Johnson, 87, of Fargo, ND died peacefully at Bethany on 42nd in Fargo, ND, on Sunday, May 11, 2025.

   Douglas Leroy Johnson was born on July 5, 1937 to Lois (Bly) and Gust Johnson in Fargo, ND. He attended Bell Country School for one year before continuing his schooling in Hunter. Following school, he joined the US Marine Corps.

   Doug met his wife to be Joanie Wald in 1962 when they were working construction near the missile silos around Velva, North Dakota. She was a beautiful, tanned, young North Dakota farm girl working in the construction company offices. He was a handsome, tanned North Dakota farm boy and Marine Corps veteran working heavy equipment and driving a classy red car. It couldn’t get any better than that!

   Doug worked with heavy equipment most of his working life. He was really good at it, and this gained him the nickname “DOZER DOUG”, which became his personalized license plate.

   He loved to hunt and fish and collected all the stuff needed: truck, boat, guns, fishing tackle, traps, you name it, he had it. He and Joanie spent many weekends and vacations enjoying the outdoors together and with friends.

   Doug also had a passion for garage sales and thrift shop bargains; often finding treasures others had passed by and making them part of his unique collections.

   After he retired, he focused on working with Joanie to care for their Shelty pups Sully and Shaydee and making their yard a showplace. He really, really loved a thick green lawn.

   He also became an informal neighborhood watch guard and was known by the neighborhood as “THE BLOCK CAPTAIN”. In later years he would drive through the neighborhood on his electric scooter, stopping for short visits, sharing his wit and the occasional colorful comment as he drove away. This earned him another nickname, “SCOOTER DOUG”, which remained for the rest of his life.

   Blessings and thank yous to the many friends, neighbors and family who have been so kind, caring and understanding through the years. Blessings and thank yous also to Bethany staff and Ethos Hospice for the comforting care he received.

   Doug is survived by his wife, Joan; brother Garry (Diane) Johnson of Bismarck, ND; and many nieces & nephews.

   Preceding him in death include siblings: Kenneth, Shirley Reed, Elin Johnson, Robert, Mauritz, Doris Biel & Vivian Lerud.

Graveside Service with Military Honors: Friday, May 23, 2025 at 2 PM at the Hunter (ND) Cemetery followed by a reception.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

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