Darrell Arlin Johnson

Darrell Arlin Johnson, age 76, of Fargo passed away on Dec. 8, 2017 at his home in Fargo, ND. Darrell suffered for two years with metastasized lung cancer, multiple strokes, a heart attack in September, another heart attack in the beginning of November and finally pneumonia at the end of November. It was at this time that Darrell made his decision to join Hospice of the Red River Valley so that he could spend his last days at home with his children.

Darrell Arlin Johnson was born October 19, 1941, to Arnold and Pearl (Peterson) Johnson in Wadena, MN. His family moved to Parkers Prairie, MN where Darrell attended Parkers Prairie High School and was active in baseball, football, the school newspaper, Concert Choir, Boys’ Quartet, Concert Band, Dance Band, and a Trumpet Trio. He graduated with his class in1959. Darrell’s Senior Quote for the yearbook was, “Fun and Curly hair will get you there.”

Darrell spent his first summer after High School working at Yellow Stone National Park. He continued his education by attending North Dakota State College of Science at Wahpeton, ND where he received a two- year degree in Architectural Drafting and Estimating in 1961 and also where he met his future wife, Joyce, at the “Get Acquainted Dance.”

Darrell married Joyce Froelich on July 8, 1961 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Valley City, ND. They lived in various apartment buildings in Fargo, ND and in Moorhead, MN where they were caretakers of the buildings they lived in and at one time were landlords to eight Interstate Business College Students. The last apartment they lived in was in the basement of a house at 1630 North 7th Street in Fargo. Darrell and Joyce eventually bought that house and rented out the basement apartment to other young couples to live in. Their last move was to a house they built in North Fargo, 1444 North Fourth Street, in 1973.

Their first son, Daniel, was born in 1962. Their daughter, Tammy, was born in 1966 and their second son, Timothy, was born in 1971.

Darrell worked for 48 years in the Engineering Department at the Fargo Foundry, which later became Mid America Steel. Darrell was an Advisor for the Mid America Steel Credit Union for 12 years and an Advisor for Junior Achievement for 6 years. Darrell retired in 2008. Darrell would have worked at Mid America Steel until they kicked him out, but due to his wife’s failing health, he retired so that he could be her caregiver at home until she passed away in 2013.

After Darrell’s wife passed in 2013, Darrell found himself rekindling his love for trumpet playing. Through the years, Darrell had encouraged all three of his children and all four of his grandchildren to play trumpet, but he hadn’t had the time himself to play since high school. Darrell began playing trumpet for The FM Golden Notes, A New Horizon Band, whose purpose was to allow former musicians who hadn’t played since high school or college to play music together. Even though Darrell’s time in the band was cut short due to his illness, that band became one of the loves of his life.

Darrell was a member of Elim Lutheran Church, Fargo for more than 50 years. Darrell sang in the Senior Choir for 45 years, was on the Church Council for 12 years and was active in various other committees during that time. You could find Darrell at Elim Lutheran Church every Wednesday night for Choir practice, every Sunday morning for the Church Service and on many other days or evenings throughout the years.

Darrell is survived by a son, Daniel (Candace) Johnson, Valley City, ND; a daughter, Tammy (Paul) Douville, Faribault, MN; a son, Timothy Johnson. Fargo, ND; a sister, Sharon (Curt) Finkelson, Alexandria, MN; a brother, Al (Nancy) Johnson, Henning, MN; sister-in-law, Sharon Johnson; Ottertail, MN; four grandsons, Nathan and Matthew Johnson, Valley City, ND; and Nicholas and Charles Douville, Faribault, MN: and 14 nieces and nephews.

Darrell is preceded in death by his parents; Arnold and Pearl (Peterson) Johnson, his wife, Joyce (Froelich) Johnson; and his brother, Larry Johnson.

It is Darrell’s wish that in lieu of flowers that you please consider donating to the Elim Lutheran Church Choirs, the Elim Lutheran Church Sunday School or The FM Golden Notes, A New Horizon Band.
“Keep a Song in your Heart.”