Obituaries

Darrell Robert Johnson

Photo of Darrell Robert Johnson
Today we celebrate the life of one of the world's most magnetic, loving and caring people to walk this earth! Darrell Robert Johnson was born at home on November 22, 1937 in Hamlin, Iowa to Milo and Christina (Swensen) Johnson. He was the firstborn of four children, and he would argue that he was the favorite of the four. To know Darrell is to love him, regardless if you knew him for 10 minutes or 80 years. Darrell grew up in rural Shelby County near Kirkman, Iowa and attended one room school houses near the family farm. His faith was strong throughout his life, having been saved and baptized at Bethel Baptist Church in Harlan, Iowa. His faith was the bedrock of his character. In 1955, Darrell met the love of his life, Lois Ilene Campbell…"my bride" as he lovingly called her, upon his arrival to Irwin Community High School, where he graduated in 1956. Darrell was always looking out for Lois, even to the point of letting her do his homework for him to help her improve on her already advanced academics, and even going so far as to check her work before handing it in to his teachers. He was such a giver. Lois and Darrell started their lifelong journey together on January 20th, 1957 by getting married at the United Methodist Church in Irwin, Iowa. Darrell started his working career in construction in Harlan, IA, building homes and various commercial buildings. Not long afterwards, he became a project manager in commercial construction which took him and Lois to various places around the country including Minneapolis, Minn.; Glendale, Ariz.; West Des Moines, Iowa; Kehei, Maui, Hiwaii where he was aptly and lovingly nicknamed the "Big Kahuna" a name that is used to this day…then onto Las Vegas, NV and finally Bella Vista, Ark., working as a Construction Manager for Sams Clubs, making lifelong friends along the way. Lois and Darrell retired in Bella Vista, Ark., and retirement was short-lived when he began building custom homes across NW Arkansas until he actually decided to hang up his hammer and tool belt (ok..he never wore a tool belt, but it sounded good, sooo…) Living out his faith found a home at Cross Church where he was involved in various bible studies and men's groups, where he forged a brotherhood bond with many men as well as many more friendships. His legacy he's left is deep and far reaching, already across several generations. It is a legacy and example that has taught us to look beyond circumstances and into what is truly important…to love others…to trust God completely and in everything…to offer grace and forgiveness to those around us…to love unconditionally, and to see the blessings in life. If there is one thing this man has said over and over, its "I'm so blessed!" Darrell left this life, Tuesday, December 26, 2017, and entered into the waiting arms of his Savior and his parents in heaven, where we are convinced he was met with a high five and a huge "WELL DONE!" He is survived by his loving "Bride" of 60 years, Lois; his children Brian (Jody) Johnson of Johnston, Iowa; Carmen Larson of Bentonville, Ark.; Sheryl Carman of Bentonville, Ark.; and Ron Johnson of Scottsdale, Ariz. A man of few - but loving - titles, however one of his very favorites was "Papa" which is what he was adoringly called by his 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Chuck Johnson of St. Louis Park, Minn.; Kathleen (Bill) Holthues of Bella Vista, Ark. and Shelly (Kevin) Smith of De Pere, Wis. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m., Friday, December 29, 2017 at Cross Church Pinnacle Hills in Rogers. Memorial contributions can be made to Cross Church Pinnacle Hills, Rogers, Ark. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. Words of comfort may be shared at stockdalefuneral.com.

Published December 28, 2017

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