Darrel R. Johnson

Darrel R. Johnson, was born on December 24, 1938 in Salt Lake City, UT. He passed away on September 9, 2011 in Round Rock, TX. His parents were Doris and Willard Johnson of Pleasant Grove, UT. He was the second of seven children. He received his high school education in Pleasant Grove, UT and further education in Provo, UT. He met and married his wife Helga Willeitner who he had three children with, Timothy, Kathleen, and Reni. He served our great country in the United States Air Force as a fireman and was stationed at Bergstrom AFB in Austin, Texas which is where he eventually chose to move his family and make their home.

After serving our wonderful country for four years he embarked on a career as an enthusiastic salesman for various organizations. One of his favorite positions was selling the Electrolux vacuum cleaner door-to-door. He had a gift with people and never knew a stranger. This was a part of his salesmanship that made selling vacuum cleaners easy and where he exceeded as a salesman. He then changed careers to own and operate with his previous wife several wig salons in Austin, Texas.

As life continued on Darrel met Lahoma Balch on a blind date and eventually married and adopted her son Ken. Going back to school to earn his insurance license he became a licensed Independent Insurance Agent and sold life, home, health and auto insurance for many years.

As a young man, Darrel developed a passion for woodworking by helping his father in the basement of his childhood home. His dad and he would make all kinds of useful gifts for family and friends. After selling insurance for many years and remembering his childhood passion for woodworking he decided to open a cabinet business in the garage of his family home. The cabinet shop did so well that it quickly outgrew the small garage space. After much thought, consideration and the loving support of his wife Lahoma, Johnson’s Cabinets was born. Eventually, Ken joined the business and together for the next 23 years they proceeded to grow Johnson’s Cabinet’s into a very lucrative business, surviving several down economies.

Darrel’s faith in his religion was unbreakable. Darrel was a devoted Mormon with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints his whole life. He served as primary teacher, where he had the privilege of baptizing several children. He also served as first counselor and was a member of the high priest group leadership. He had a wonderful love for music and sang in the church choir.

Darrel was known for his generosity by his giving nature. He not only volunteered to serve his church family but also served his community by becoming a leader in the Boy Scouts of America and the Indian Guides.

Darrel was a leader in his church as well as, in his family. He was a devoted and loving husband, a wonderful dad and a fun-loving, awesome grandpa. He was truly a kid at heart. He took after his mother by having a great sense of humor. He told funny jokes, impersonated funny characters and people all while not being afraid of what others thought of him. That was part of his light-hearted nature that will be sorely missed. Everyone who knew him was sure to have many belly laughs when Darrel was present. He touched so many peoples’ lives with his kindness, humor, spirit, generosity and love.

Darrel Johnson was preceded in death by his mother, father, sister DeVonna and his two children Christopher and Christina. He is survived by his wife Lahoma of 42 years, children, Timothy Ray Johnson of Roanoke, VA, Ken Johnson of Austin, TX, Kathy Murray of Sugarland, TX, Tammie and husband, Jerry Holland of Groesbeck, TX, and Reni Johnson of Pflugerville, TX. Grandchildren: Harold Johnson of Roanoke, VA, Kristina Johnson of Round Rock, TX, Michael Murray of College Station, TX, Brian Murray of Sugarland, TX, Michael Gonzalez of New Braunfels, TX, Jerry Holland III of Oklahoma City, OK and Cole Holland of Groesbeck, TX.

Visitation Services will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, Texas. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, September 12, 2011 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1000 Rutherford Lane, Austin, Texas.

Since Darrel had diabetes and cancer, donations to any of those organizations would be greatly appreciated.

To share memories of Darrel with his family, please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com.