Obituary for Daniel Irving "Dan" Johnson Jr.
Daniel (Dan) Irving Johnson, Jr., age 66, left his earthly body for a perfect one in the early morning hours of December 12, 2022 at Emerald Court Assisted Living in Scottsbluff, NE with his wife Cathy and daughters Missy and Deanna by his side, to place his hand into the hand of Jesus. His funeral service will be held 2 PM Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at the Mitchell Berean Church with Pastor Giles Armstrong officiating. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the start of service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Dan Johnson Memorial in care of the family. Private family burial will be Thursday, December 22, 2022 in LaGrange, WY. Online condolences may be made by viewing Dan’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com. Bridgman Funeral Home in Scottsbluff is entrusted with arrangements.
Dan was born on October 15, 1956, to Dan Sr. and Loretta Johnson in Allegan, MI. He had an older sister Kathy and a younger sister Jody. At a young age the family moved to Wyoming and eventually to LaGrange where Dan attended school and graduated in 1975. He thoroughly enjoyed the freedom of growing up in a small town. He was able to pursue his love for horses with his pony Sparky and horse Little Joe. He was able to grow his passion for basketball in his infamous #22 uniform. He attended and graduated from WyoTech in 1977 and began his lifetime diesel career.
Dan married his high school sweetheart, Cathy Downare, on August 5, 1977. They began married life in Scottsbluff. Joining them over the next few years were their daughters Melissa and Deanna whom were the light of his life. The family loved to camp, fish, travel, ride 3 wheelers and motorcycles and mostly play basketball! In the 1990’s Dan got to coach Missy and Deanna in Hickory Huskers traveling teams and Mitchell High School girls basketball. It was a joy for the family to spent time together doing something they all loved.
Two sons Dave Schroeder and David Norby, whom he loved as his own, were added to the family with the marriages of his daughters. Later five grandchildren, Talia, Taylor, Jaeden, Brooks and Olivia, all his pride and joy. Dan was a loyal family man who always put his wife, kids and grandkids first and would do anything for them. He loved spending time with extended family and all the kids loved Uncle Danny!
Dan was saved at the age of 11 on December 8, 1967. He grew in his love for the Lord. When his daughters arrived, he said he wanted to be an example of a Godly father and teach them to follow Jesus. He was a shining light to anyone who would listen, he was not ashamed to speak of his Savior. He led worship for Mitchell Berean Church in the 1990s and always had a story with a Godly meaning to share, usually not without tears from him or the audience. There are those who say that it was because of his words, and obvious love for the Lord, they are believers today.
Dan also had a great reputation in the valley for his talents and integrity as a diesel technician. Many wanted only Dan to touch their trucks. He had an amazing following. Even when he retired, he was still getting calls to help someone. In 2002, he was able to take his diesel talents to WyoTech, where he worked as a sales manager and absolutely loved talking about the school. This was a job that took he and Cathy to north Idaho. They loved living there and enjoyed all it had to offer.
Dan was loved by many and will be dearly missed. He is free from the chains of Alzheimer’s and is now of whole mind and body! There is surely a lot of laughter and fun going on in heaven since Dan Johnson arrived! We love and miss you! Thank you for all you did for us! Your family.
Dan is survived by his wife Cathy; daughters and sons-in-law Melissa & Dave Schroeder and Deanna & David Norby; grandchildren Talia and Thadeous Johnson, Taylor Norby, Jaeden Schroeder, Brooks Norby and Olivia and Hudson Wild; mother Loretta and stepfather Mac McKinnis; sisters Kathy (Rod) Schuppan and Jody Dill and several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father Dan Johnson, Sr; maternal and paternal grandparents and mother and father-in-law.
Dan was born on October 15, 1956, to Dan Sr. and Loretta Johnson in Allegan, MI. He had an older sister Kathy and a younger sister Jody. At a young age the family moved to Wyoming and eventually to LaGrange where Dan attended school and graduated in 1975. He thoroughly enjoyed the freedom of growing up in a small town. He was able to pursue his love for horses with his pony Sparky and horse Little Joe. He was able to grow his passion for basketball in his infamous #22 uniform. He attended and graduated from WyoTech in 1977 and began his lifetime diesel career.
Dan married his high school sweetheart, Cathy Downare, on August 5, 1977. They began married life in Scottsbluff. Joining them over the next few years were their daughters Melissa and Deanna whom were the light of his life. The family loved to camp, fish, travel, ride 3 wheelers and motorcycles and mostly play basketball! In the 1990’s Dan got to coach Missy and Deanna in Hickory Huskers traveling teams and Mitchell High School girls basketball. It was a joy for the family to spent time together doing something they all loved.
Two sons Dave Schroeder and David Norby, whom he loved as his own, were added to the family with the marriages of his daughters. Later five grandchildren, Talia, Taylor, Jaeden, Brooks and Olivia, all his pride and joy. Dan was a loyal family man who always put his wife, kids and grandkids first and would do anything for them. He loved spending time with extended family and all the kids loved Uncle Danny!
Dan was saved at the age of 11 on December 8, 1967. He grew in his love for the Lord. When his daughters arrived, he said he wanted to be an example of a Godly father and teach them to follow Jesus. He was a shining light to anyone who would listen, he was not ashamed to speak of his Savior. He led worship for Mitchell Berean Church in the 1990s and always had a story with a Godly meaning to share, usually not without tears from him or the audience. There are those who say that it was because of his words, and obvious love for the Lord, they are believers today.
Dan also had a great reputation in the valley for his talents and integrity as a diesel technician. Many wanted only Dan to touch their trucks. He had an amazing following. Even when he retired, he was still getting calls to help someone. In 2002, he was able to take his diesel talents to WyoTech, where he worked as a sales manager and absolutely loved talking about the school. This was a job that took he and Cathy to north Idaho. They loved living there and enjoyed all it had to offer.
Dan was loved by many and will be dearly missed. He is free from the chains of Alzheimer’s and is now of whole mind and body! There is surely a lot of laughter and fun going on in heaven since Dan Johnson arrived! We love and miss you! Thank you for all you did for us! Your family.
Dan is survived by his wife Cathy; daughters and sons-in-law Melissa & Dave Schroeder and Deanna & David Norby; grandchildren Talia and Thadeous Johnson, Taylor Norby, Jaeden Schroeder, Brooks Norby and Olivia and Hudson Wild; mother Loretta and stepfather Mac McKinnis; sisters Kathy (Rod) Schuppan and Jody Dill and several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father Dan Johnson, Sr; maternal and paternal grandparents and mother and father-in-law.