Duane Harold Johnson

Duane Harold Johnson, 91, of Bellingham, WA, passed away on January 1, 2024 of natural causes. Duane was born on March 25, 1932 to Carl F. Johnson and Doris F. (Butterfield) Johnson in Newman Grove, Nebraska. After Duane graduated from Mt. Baker High School in 1949, he went on to attend Washington State University where he studied mathematics and electronics. Duane became a life-long fan of the WSU Cougars men’s and women’s sports teams, especially football, basketball and volleyball. After attending college for one year, Duane joined the US Navy and served aboard the USS Stembel during the Korean War. Upon discharge from the Navy, while hitchhiking home from his naval base in California, Duane met the owner of KVOS-TV and received the offer of a job. He held a career in television electronics at KVOS for over 30 years. Duane met Donna June Elder at the Hopewell Dance Hall in Everson, WA. They were married on May 8, 1954 and went on to have three children: Diana W. Weisenburger (husband, Jim), Debra L. Jones (husband, Dave), and, Dana D. Johnson (wife, Diana). Duane and Donna had a passion for motorcycle riding and spent much of their vacations and retirement riding their BMW motorcycles with family and friends. Duane was a long-standing member of the Mt. Baker Motorcycle Club where he volunteered numerous hours as an EMT and flagging for races at the Hannegan Speedway. After retirement, he and Donna spent the winter months in Yuma, AZ in their motorhome. When home in the summers, Duane worked for his son at Mt. Baker Roofing. Duane’s favorite pastime was enjoying his family at their home on Lake Whatcom and attending his grandchildren/great-grandchildren’s sporting events. Duane was predeceased by his parents and brother, Carl J. Johnson. He is survived by his three children, 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Graveside services for the family will be held at Greenacres on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 10:00 am. A Celebration of Life for Duane, from 12:00-3:00 pm, will be held at the American Legion Post #7, 1688 W. Bakerview Road, Bellingham, WA 98225 on February 10, 2024 at 12:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Duane’s name to the charity of your choice.

Duane Harold Johnson

March 25, 1932 - January 1, 2024