Douglas Johnson

Lignite

Doug Johnson was born on December 19, 1946, to Louis and Gjerdie (Hagen) Johnson in Bowbells, ND. He graduated from Burke Central High School in 1963. Doug was enlisted in the National Guard. Doug was united in marriage to Kathleen Custer from Belfield, ND in 1970. They raised two sons, Chad and Todd. The couple later divorced in 1983. In 1965, Doug started working with his brothers, Larry and Wayne, in the oilfield around Lignite. This led to Doug joining Portal Service Company in Lignite. In 1970, Doug took full ownership of the company owned by Earl Whaley. Doug led the growth of the business during the 1970’s oil boom. In the 1990’s, the business started to expand again as Chad joined the business and they saw the opportunity to expand into constructing roads, building pipelines and offering crane services throughout Western North Dakota, Eastern Montana and Wyoming. In the 2000’s, the company expanded into the pump jack sales and service business through a relationship with Grimes Sales in Lampman, SK. With the advent of fracking and the Bakken boom of the late 2000’s / early 2010’s, Portal Service saw significant growth and expansion throughout the Bakken and was ultimately sold in 2012. Doug retired as Chairman in 2014 but stayed close to all his connections in the oil field and could routinely be seen on the dirt roads of Burke County keeping a close eye on the oil patch. Doug’s work legacy is visible through the many well locations and roads he built and the signature black and orange HG pump jacks he set at oil wells throughout North Dakota. Doug lived his entire life in Lignite and was active in the community — most often with the help of his backhoe or crane.

He was a board member for the Lignite Development Corp responsible for keeping the grocery store operating in Lignite. He loved visiting with his friends at Johnson’s Cafe or enjoying a Southern Comfort and Diet Coke with his friends at the 109. Although busy in the oil field, Doug always made time to take his sons motorcycle racing, boating, fishing, and skiing throughout their childhoods. In his retirement, Doug enjoyed splitting his time between Lignite, Mandan and Mesa, AZ and traveling to visit family and friends. Doug was a loving and adoring grandfather to his two grandchildren in Michigan; Nels Robert Johnson and Mae Michael Johnson. He was happiest taking them for ice cream whenever they were together. Doug is survived by his two sons, Chad Johnson and Todd (Amanda) Johnson; two grandchildren, Nels and Mae; three brothers, Larry (Joan) Grindy, Wayne (Marguerite) Grindy, Lee Johnson; one sister, Lavinia (Bill) Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Gjerdie (Hagen) Johnson; and two sisters, Connie Grindy Camandona and Jan Grindy Johnson. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to: Christ Lutheran Church: 301 Grove St, Lignite, ND 58752 or Dale Cemetery in care of: Allen Larson P.O. Box 227 Lignite, ND 58752.

Funeral Service: Monday, September 18, 2023, 11 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, Lignite, ND.

Interment: Dale Lutheran Cemetery, Flaxton, ND.

In lieu of flowers please send memorials to: Christ Lutheran Church 301 Grove St, Lignite, ND 58752 or Dale Cemetery in care of: Allen Larson P.O. Box 227 Lignite, ND 58752.

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).

Published by The Minot Daily News, September 16, 2023.