Douglas Wendell Johns

Missoula - Douglas Wendell Johns passed away on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, peacefully at home, after an aggressive cancer battle at the age of 69. Doug was born in St. Ignatius on September 23, 1953; the son of Willard Johns and Luella Johns Hofland. As a boy he lived in various logging camps in western Montana until the family settled in Missoula. The oldest of five, Doug attended Hellgate High school and studied at the University of Montana. During this time, he began a lifelong career in forest products working in the diesel shop for Champion International and in multiple roles for Louisiana Pacific/Roseburg Forest products. A favorite past time for Doug was taking the family for drives on logging roads, fishing, hiking, and camping. In the years leading up to and after retirement Doug and Melissa upgraded from a tent camper to a travel trailer ‘Little Huck’ which could often be spotted at primitive campgrounds around the region. Most of these camping trips were an excuse to go on rockhounding adventures as Doug kept looking for the perfect rock, which always seemed to be the next one. In recent years Doug joined the Hellgate Mineral Society. With the club he enjoyed getting together with members through attending meetings, club events, and field trips. Doug was an active member at First Lutheran Church. He served on various committees. Doug’s joy of service centered around the children and family ministry projects. During the summers he, Melissa, and others would travel the state putting on weeklong Vacation Bible School events for small communities. During the fall and winter, Doug was an expert at building structures for living Nativity and Christmas programs at the church. Doug was preceded in death by his father Willard and his brother Randall. He is survived by his wife Melissa; children Christopher (Lindsey) and Joshua; mother, Luella and stepfather Peter Hofland; brothers Alan, Jerry, and Rick. The funeral service will be held at First Lutheran Church, 2808 South Ave. West, Missoula, MT, at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 20, 2022. Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church or the Montana District LCMS Vacation Bible School project. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.

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