Thomas B. Johnson

Thomas B. Johnson, 79, of Fergus Falls, MN died Sunday, August 25, 2025 at LB Broen Home under the care of Moments Hospice, surrounded by his family. 

Thomas Bruce Johnson was born November 15th, 1944 to Ernest and Hazel (McLaughlin) Johnson in Devils Lake ND. He spent much of his childhood helping his grandparents on their farm and attended school in Devils Lake graduating from Central High School in 1963. On November 20th, 1963 Thomas married Sharon Fix in Devils Lake where they made their home and had their son, David. 

Thomas made his living as a plumber, but in 1968 he started with Otter Tail Power shoveling coal, obtaining his boiler’s license, and ultimately becoming a welder. When the plant closed in Devils Lake in 1975, they moved to Wall Lake, just north of Fergus Falls, MN, where they had their daughter, Amanda. Thomas continued working for Otter Tail Power in Fergus Falls, but eventually settled at the Central Stores branch in Wahpeton, ND where he retired after 39 years with the company. 

After his first wife passed away from cancer on July 7, 2005, Thomas met and married the second love of his life, Cecelia Kugler on November 1, 2008. They made their home in Erhard, MN on Lake Fogard, but ultimately moved back to Fergus Falls. 

Thomas will be remembered for the generous kindness he lavished on his family, neighbors, and friends. He spent many evenings with his children helping build school projects, going on field trips, camping with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, raising rabbits, earning the undying loyalty of the family dog, putting up elaborate outdoor Christmas decorations, attending church, and shooting the breeze over a baked good, or two, and a strong cup of coffee, or as Thomas called it, “Norwegian Gasoline.”

Thomas will forever be known as “Mister Green Jeans” for his passionate love of all things yellow and green. Thomas and his son spent many hours collecting and restoring antique John Deere tractors together. They often found themselves deep in the woods pulling out a rusted hunk of cast iron only to later turn it into a restored paragon of times past. 

For 40 plus years Thomas was an active member of the Lake Region Pioneer Threshermen’s Association, in Dalton, MN where he served on the board. He was also a member of the Lake Agassiz Two-Cylinder Club and the Greater Minnesota Little Falls Two-Cylinder Club. In his later years, he enjoyed going to tractor shows, reminiscing about cars and trucks he once owned, spending time with his grandchildren, drinking even more coffee, and playing cards with friends and family. 

He is Preceded in death by his father, Ernest Johnson; first wife, Sharon Johnson; Brother, Gregory Johnson; sister-in-law, Peggy (John) Christianson; brothers-in-law, Edward Fix, Cleo Rud, and Larry Fyhrie.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Cecilia (Kugler) Johnson of Fergus Falls; mother, Hazel Nelson of Algoma, WI; son, David (Kathy) of Fergus Falls; daughter, Amanda “Mandy” Johnson of West Fargo ND; sister, Dixie Rud of Otsego, MN; brother, Bradley (JoAnn) Johnson of Minneapolis MN; brother-in-law Brian Fix of Mt. Hood, OR, stepchildren, Cynthia (Tim) Gadow; Daniel (Carol) Kugler, Dawn (Mark) Restad, and Jodi Kugler; grandchildren, Zachary Johnson, Megan Johnson, and Sara Johnson; sister-in-law Linda (Jim) Hartman, Carol Fyhrie, Blanche (Loren) Fretland; brother-in-law, Kenneth Rian. 

Also surviving are Cecelia’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family, and many friends.

Memorial Service: 11 a.m. Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Olson Funeral and Cremation Chapel, with a visitation one-hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Clergy: Reverend Bert Holmquist

Interment: At a later date St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Devils Lake, ND

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com