Douglas Gene Johnson, was born at Holy Family Hospital in Estherville, Iowa on November 22, 1953 to Deryl “Buck” and Wilma (Bradley) Johnson. He passed away at Avera Holy Family Hospital in Estherville on March 11, 2023 at the age of 69 years.
Doug attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School until 8th Grade and then attended Estherville High School. Following school, he worked in the area doing various grain bin painting jobs. In 1973, he began working for the railroad as a track foreman and continued there for the next 10 years, traveling throughout the country for different jobs. He met Sharon Haukoos and the couple had one daughter Jill. They decided it was time to stop traveling and Doug got a job with Estherville Ready Mix, and later Electromold, he retired from there due to medical reasons in 2006. On July 16, 2016, he and Sharon decided to make it official and became married.
While working at the railroad he was a member of the Brotherhood Maintenance of Way and it grew his interest in the railway system. He collected a lot of railroad memorabilia. Doug and his brothers worked together to help work on remodeling projects at each other’s homes. Deer hunting, goose hunting and fishing with his good friend Tim brought him lots of laughs and great memories. If there was a Minnesota Vikings game on, he was watching it. He also enjoyed watching Old Western Classics and the Andy Griffith Show or listening to 50’s and 60’s music. Most recently Doug spent a lot of time feeding, watching, and taking photos of the wildlife in his backyard; and playing poker and cribbage. Doug will be fondly remembered by his friends and family with a big smile on his face and a trucker hat on his head.
Doug is survived by his wife Sharon Johnson of Estherville, his daughter Jill (Ramiro) Flores of Cheyenne, WY, grandchildren Adriana Flores and Emilio Flores, and he was awaiting his first great-grandchild in September. He is also survived by his mother Wilma Johnson of Estherville, his siblings Brian Johnson and Elizabeth Johnson-Noel, and many extended family members.
He is preceded in death by his dad and his siblings Randy Johnson, Roger Johnson, Diane Hofstader, and Barbara Johnson.
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