Dale William Johnson, 84 of Huntsville, Alabama passed away peacefully on May 28th surrounded by love and family—a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Born to Rudolph Charles Johnson and Olivia Carlson Johnson on January 5, 1932 in Isanti, Minnesota he lived a charmed small town upbringing. Soon after graduating from Cambridge High School (’49) he married his high school sweetheart Mary Louise Peterson. They both went on to school in Minneapolis where he eventually received his Master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota. He served four years in the United States Air Force, which included active duty in the Korean War, before finally settling in San Diego, California where he had secured a job teaching high school math. He also worked as a border patrol agent, which would change his life. It was here he heard about, applied for and was accepted into his dream job–the FBI. He served 20 exciting, memorable years as an agent mostly in Huntsville until his retirement. He and Mary Lou loved to travel and cruise and also enjoyed many winters in Panama City Beach where he golfed, played poker and socialized with many friends and generally enjoyed life.
Dale is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Lou, his son Brad Johnson (Belynda) of Madison and daughter Deborah Ratcliffe (Rick) of Halifax, NS. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Laura Barlow (Russell), Leslie Johnson, Cate Ratcliffe, Jessica Perez (Daniel) and five great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son Jeffrey Johnson (Charleston), grandson Jason Johnson (Huntsville) and his beloved dog, Jake.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 2nd at 4:30 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 200 Longview Dr., Huntsville, Alabama 35801, with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Rest in Peace