Kenneth Delbert Johnson

Funeral Service: https://vimeo.com/988572869

Tribute Video: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/DS78XYXPNPZDJJNJ

This obituary is written In loving memory of Kenneth Delbert Johnson - son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and godparent. He passed on July 16, 2024 after a long battle with Parkinsons. He was 75 years old.

Ken was born in Cando, ND on July 23, 1948 to Delbert Johnson and Dorothy (Tohm) Johnson. Kenny grew up on a farm outside of Egeland, ND and graduated from Egeland High School in 1966. After graduating high school, he completed a two-year mechanic training program at Lake Region Junior College in Devils Lake, ND.

In the summer of 1968, during the height of the Vietnam War, he volunteered for the U.S. Army (alongside his best friend, also named Kenny) and reported to Fargo to be formally inducted. In November of that year, he went to Fort Louis, Washington to begin basic training. Kenny was in Washington State until the end of January 1969 and then went directly to Fort Campbell, Kentucky to complete some "OJT" (On the Job Training) at Fort Campbell due to his prior experience driving truck for the county. His group then came under orders in June 1969 to go to Vietnam and was assigned to the 446th Transportation Company (part of the 1st Logistical Command or "1st Log" unit). He was given 30 days leave and then had to report to Oakland Air Force Base in California and would soon depart the U.S. After arriving in Bin Hoa, Vietnam, he learned his company had been sent to replace another company whose soldiers had been killed during an ambush.

It rained terribly the first night that he arrived at his permanent company area. They were all soaking wet, received bedding, and were assigned a bunk. In the morning, he headed in a convoy to deliver cargo to Cu Chi, Vietnam. He turned 21 years old that day.

He would often travel about 60+ miles away from the base by truck, drop off whatever cargo they were carrying and pick up another trailer and haul it back. He would transport anything they needed him to haul - such as bombs, grenades, soda, or even beer and cigarettes. Helicopters would fly above the trucks in convoy, watching for any threats.

He served in Vietnam for 11 months and 29 days, and he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in July 1970. Upon Kenny's return to the U.S. from Vietnam, he often told the story about how he was picked up at a local bus station by his dad, mom, little sister Angie and older sister Carole. The first thing he wanted to do was eat a hamburger. So, they stopped in a small town on the way home, and he got his wish for that long-awaited hamburger.

After the Army, Kenny moved to Fargo. In 1973, he was united in marriage to Judith (Judy) Myrold. In 1979, their daughter Sara was born. As the story goes, when he was little, he was asked in school what he wanted to be when he grew up, and when most little boys may have said they wanted to be a cowboy, he said he wanted to be a daddy. Being a loving dad to Sara fulfilled that dream.

Kenny worked as a heavy equipment mechanic for over 40 years at Krider Equipment in Fargo, ND (later Titan Machinery). Kenny spent the week of his 60th birthday week with his daughter Sara who took him to the Vietnam Wall on his birthday. He worked until his retirement in late 2012, when his grandson Harrison was born.

Kenny was an affectionate and kind man with a goofy sense of humor. Even until the end when he couldn't communicate well, he would still sometimes surprise you with a smile, raised eyebrows, and even a fist bump or an arm wrestling match or two. He was always very mechanically inclined, working with cars, tools, and projects around the home. He provided "Grandpa Daycare" for Harrison for almost 3 years while Sara worked during the day. He loved spending time with Harrison - it was clear he felt a bond with him as if Harrison were his own son.

In an interview conducted by his daughter Sara for a college English class paper, when she asked how his time in Vietnam changed him he said, "I don't really know if it changed me...but I'm sure it did some. Some things that happened, you don't forget them. You have good friends that you left, and probably (will) never hear from again in your life. It made you grow up." He also told of the soldiers who had been in Vietnam longer than him, and how they would always be sharing how many days they have left. He would know when others were leaving the country because he would see "planes coming in or going out, and we would call them freedom birds...and finally one day, we were getting out of there." He experienced things that many young men do not usually experience, especially marking one's 21st birthday driving truck in a convoy in Vietnam.

Throughout everything he went through, the day came when he would be going home. He waited for his 'freedom bird,' and it came.

Kenny is survived by his daughter Sara (Fargo, ND) and grandson Harrison; mother Dorothy (Devils Lake, ND); sisters Linda (Don) Shock (Grand Forks, ND), Diane (Jeff) Halverson (Devils Lake, ND) and Angela Freund (Cando, ND); sister-in-law Patty Johnson, and brother-in-law Lloyd Hintz; his beloved nieces and nephews; uncle Vernon (Rosie) Tohm (Amarillo, TX), aunt Doris Johnson (Cando, ND); many cousins; and Sara's mom, Judy.

He was preceded in death by his father Delbert, brother Ron Johnson, sister Carole Hintz, nephew Tyler Halverson, great-niece Jayleigh Halverson, great-nephew Oliver Johnson. Grandpa Kenny is also now holding Harrison's twin and another little boy in his arms - Sara's two little angels who were lost very early, never able to make it earthside.

Kenny will be laid to rest at Fargo National Cemetery on July 23rd, 2024, on his 76th birthday.

In lieu of flowers or monetary gifts, please consider making a contribution in memory of Kenny to one of the following organizations: Hospice of the Red River Valley, Disabled American Veterans, The Parkinson's Foundation, or The American Cancer Society.

The family would also like to thank St. Catherine’s - South for all the excellent care provided to Kenny over the last three years, and to Hospice of the Red River Valley for all of their support during this difficult time.