Daniel Carl Johnson

Daniel Carl Johnson was the second son born to Antoinette Sophia Herman and Henry August Johnson in West Point, Nebraska. He grew up on a Nebraska farm, starting school at age five in a one-room schoolhouse. He then attended Guardian Angel School from fourth to seventh grade. In 1936, the family moved to Idaho to be near Dan’s uncles in Melba, where he finished eighth grade. 

The next year, the family moved to Buhl. Henry opened a Gamble Hardware Store, and Dan finished ninth grade. In 1938 Henry opened a Western Auto Store and the family moved to Emmett where Dan attended Emmett High School, graduating in 1941. He had a bicycle delivery route for The Capital News evening newspaper. Dan continued his education at Link’s Business School and Boise Junior College, then worked as a clerk with the Boise National Forest in Cascade and Yellow Pine. 

In August 1943 Dan was drafted into the US. Army Air Corps. He went to Gunnery School in Kingman, Arizona and became an Aerial Gunnery Instructor for B-17’s. Toward the end of WW II, he was sent to England and served as a gunner in the lower ball turret. After the war ended, he served in Savannah, Georgia as an administrative assistant, processing soldiers leaving the service. He was honorably discharged in 1946 from Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. 

Dan then moved to Nebraska to work in his family’s store, took piloting instructions and obtained his private pilot’s license. He moved to Idaho in 1947 to open Hyde Park Market, a family-run grocery business. 

A fateful evening of Bingo with the Cabrini Club in the parish hall of St. John the Evangelist in Boise led to his meeting Carmelyn McMahon. They married on October 24, 1951, a blessed union that lasted over 73 years and produced four children: Mary Ellen, Daniel Henry, Paul David and Carole Ann. 

The family sold Hyde Park Market in 1960, then Dan worked for M&W Markets in management for many years. He was also a sales representative for Societe Candy and Idaho Candy. Following in their Dad’s footsteps, Danny and Paul started their working years in the grocery business. In 1978 Dan went into real estate, selling and investing in commercial properties, and becoming a Commercial Realtor, a career he continued until retirement. 

Dan was an active golfer, skier, and life-long bridge player. He was an early visitor at Bogus Basin, driving the kids up during winter weekends on the dirt roads in a VW bug. He achieved the ACBL Silver Life Master Bridge level in 1975. He belonged to Hillcrest Country Club for 45 years, participated in Boise Rotary for over 42 years, and was a member of Knights of Columbus for over 80 years. Dan was a founding member of the Centennial Investment Club which ran for 35 years, and part of a friendly poker club for more than 60 years. 

Dan will be remembered for his sense of humor, his determination, strong work ethic, financial acuity, and his devotion to his wife and his religion. He is survived by his loving wife, Carmelyn, his children and their spouses: Daniel H. (Traci) Johnson, Paul D. (Anne) Johnson, Carole A. (Tim) Bower and Stan Voshell; their children and spouses: Jennifer Voshell Jordan, Alex (Maddie) Voshell, Blake (Ashton) Bower, Brian (Barbara) Johnson, Courtney (Brad) Johnson, Erik (Brittany) Johnson, Julia (Alex) Vu; and 11 great grandchildren: Ian, Jackie and Nathan Jordan; Harris and Sophia Voshell; Vella, Huxley and Violette Bower; Patrick Martin-Johnson; Vivian and Savannah Vu; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Eugene and Vincent Johnson, daughter Mary Ellen Voshell, and two grandsons, David, and Adam Voshell. 

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Boise on February 15, 2025, at 11:00 am followed by private interment. A celebration of life reception will be held that day at Hillcrest Country Club from 12:15 to 2:15 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a contribution to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or The Downtown Rotary Club of Boise.