Paul Johnson
August 28, 1954 ~ January 6, 2017
Paul M. Johnson, 62, of Fargo, ND died peacefully on January 6, 2017, surrounded by his family’s loving support at Sanford Medical Center after a short and courageous battle with lung cancer.
Paul was born on August 28, 1954 to Clifford and Babe (Sarah Kreier) Johnson in Fargo. Paul attended grade school at Holy Spirit Elementary and graduated from Shanley High School in 1972. Following high school Paul graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in Business Administration and also Minnesota State University Moorhead with an Accounting degree. For the past 29 years Paul has owned the Taco Shop in Fargo, ND. Paul put his heart and soul into serving his customers by expanding his business from one location to five. Paul enjoyed working with many wonderful people throughout the years and reminiscing with his loyal customers. Paul was an extremely hard worker, never gave himself a break, and was looking forward to retirement.
Paul was united in marriage to Shirley (Daul) Johnson on May 28, 1982 in Fargo, ND where they made their home and were blessed with Emilee, Tracey, and Christopher. Paul’s greatest pride and joy was his family and he treasured the times when everyone could be together. Someday Paul was looking forward to being a grandpa and had dreams of taking the grandkids on bike rides, shooting hoops, watching westerns and reading bedtime stories to them.
Paul was a very social man and enjoyed being around people. He especially loved being active and enjoyed the sport and friendships he made playing racquetball at the YMCA. Paul loved all kinds of sports and was a lifelong Green Bay Packer fan. Paul also loved anything that had to do with basketball. You could find Paul cheering on high school teams, the NDSU Men and Women’s basketball teams, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Lynx. Paul even dubbed himself as the “North Dakota Lynx Fan Club President” and was always trying to “recruit” members.
When Paul was not working or watching sports, he enjoyed times at his lake cabin on Middle Cormorant Lake near Detroit Lakes, MN. He loved tending to his garden, taking a good swim and watching the sunset with a cold beer or glass of wine in hand.
Paul is survived by his loving wife Shirley of 34 years; daughters Emilee (Matt) Anderson of Edina, MN, Tracey (Nate Johnson) of Fargo, and son Chris of Fargo; sister Vicki Johnson of Fargo; brother Randy (Sandra) Johnson of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; sisters-in-law Marlene (Bryan) Beck of Fargo, Dianne (Ben) Weatherly of Palmdale, CA; brothers-in-law Jerry (Sue) Daul of West Fargo, Bill (Gina) Daul of Kidder, MO, many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Paul is proceeded in death by his parents; and parents in-law Herb and Cathy Daul.
The family would like to thank the staff at Sanford Medical Center and Essentia Health for their kind and compassionate care of Paul during his short two month battle.
Visitation: 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Wednesday, January 11th at Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo.
Prayer Service: 7:00 PM, Wednesday, January 11th at the funeral home.
Funeral Mass: 2:00 PM, Thursday, January 12th at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Fargo.
Burial: Holy Cross Cemetery North
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Roger Maris Cancer Center.
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Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Our daughters Karen and Sarah both worked for Paul at the Taco
Shop over their high school and college years.They enjoyed Paul very much as their first “Boss” Dean and I always enjoyed visiting with Paul and Vicky when we stopped to eat at the Taco Shop. Paul worked so very hard at his business. He will missed by many of the young people that worked for him over the years.We are so very sorry for your loss Paul was a good man. God Bless, Linda and Dean Kochmann
My Dear sweet sister, nieces and nephew. There are no words to express how sad we feel. We have had sad times before and we as a family will get through this too. Paul was a wonderful brother- n- law. We will miss him dearly. Love you all!
Mar and Bryan
Peace be with you,Paul.
I am so sorry for your loss please accept my sincere condolences. May the God of all comfort sustain you as you await the promises found at John 5:28,29 and Rev. 21:4 where God promises to do away with all the things that cause us suffering and pain including death here on the earth forever. (Psalm 37:29) It is my sincere hope that these thoughts comfort your family at this time.
Lauraj
I’ll remember Paul always with a smile. Growing up as the youngest sister of his buddy, Jim Durben, Paul would always tease me and make me laugh. Stories of him, Randy, and their friends were quite entertaining! But mostly I think of Paul as a close friend to all our family, and kind, and caring. He was the kind of guy that would show up when times were tough. I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends for the loss of a good guy, gone too soon.
I am so saddened by your loss. Paul was a fun-loving guy with a great smile! I unfortunately will not be able to attend the service to honor Paul, but please know that you are all in my heart as you go through this difficult time. I understand this grief so please reach out if you ever need to talk.
Our condolences to the family. Mary and I are unable to attend the services, but will be there in spirit.
The J’s
Today and always, may loving memories bring you strength, comfort and peace. Paul will be deeply missed. He touched many lives. He loved his family dearly.
Remember you have a special Angel now and forever. Love always,
We are so sorry for your loss. May your faith, memories, and each other help you get through this time. We picture him up there with that smile sharing tacos and holding a glass of red wine. God Bless his memory and all of you.
Paul and Cherie Storhoff
Being the daughter of Jim Durben, Paul’s good and longtime friend, I remember some trips to the Johnson lake place. My dad, Paul, and Randy if he was visiting, would spend hours skiing behind that old boat! I was shy, but Paul and his kids were welcoming and let me in on their fun!
University Drive wouldn’t be the same without seeing the Taco Shop every day on my way to high school and college. I proudly told my friends that my dad was friends with the owner and I knew him too! 🙂 He was such a good man.
May the Lord comfort all those grieving Paul’s death. May he rest in Heaven with Jesus and all those who have gone before us.
-Elizabeth
Shirley, Emilee, Tracey, and Chris,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Paul was a very special person who could be comfortable talking with anyone. We always enjoyed visiting with Paul. I remember him being really excited about the Lynx so we were all excited about the Lynx. We will miss his warmth and his sense of humor. Love to you all!
Shirley and family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers during this hard time. Your memories will keep his spirit with you always. I’m so sorry. Paul was always a Happy person and my dad ALWAYS stopped at the Taco Shop to eat his favorite tacos!
Paul will be missed so very much.
Such a lovey tribute to your dad, Tracey. I’m so sorry for your loss. He was definitely taken too soon as he seemed to live life to the fullest and love all of his family so much. Sending love, hugs and prayers of comfort.
I have always had so much respect for Paul. His neverending patience with new kids coming to work for him, his work ethic, the importance he placed on the quality of taco shop rather than what will make him the biggest buck. He was an upstanding person with a great sense of humor. I’m so sorry he will miss all those things in retirement because he deserved all that and so much more. My heart is with you Shirley, Emilee, Tracey, Chris, Vicki and Randy.
Thinking of the family during this time, Joseph and Gale Chapman and daughters
Vicki – deepest sympathies on the passing of your brother. I know how close you were to him and this will be a very difficult time for you. My prayers are with you.
Susan Hanson
Shirley and your whole family, Please accept our deepest condolences on Paul’s passing. He was fighting a very hard to battle that had become too strong for him to fight. Know that he is now without pain and in peace watching over all of his beautiful family. We won’t be able to be there to celebrate his life, but know we have you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Shirley and Family, I now count my blessing that I crash Matt & Emilee’s wedding reception to stop and say Hello. I will continue to smile every time I think of Paul and the days at the Elks Club. I could always count on bartender Paul’s beaming smile, and patience as he would fix my mistakes. My thoughts and prayers go out to you. May his legacy live on thru your memories.
To the whole Johnson Family, So sorry for your loss . May the memory of Paul live on ,and it will through all of you. He was a good man with many passions. I’m sure heaven is a lot better place with Paul there.but earth is a little sadder . god bless all of you.
Our family has been meeting on Wednesdays at one or the other of the Taco Shops at least once a month since 1994. Paul and his sister Vicki have always provided quality food for a fair price with friendly and efficient customer service and treated our family like family.
I went to school at Shanley with Paul (he graduated a few years ahead of me) and some of my fondest memories of him was his tenaciousness on the basketball court during pick up games. He was a tough competitor and a good sport.
We’ll miss him.
Gods peace Paul
I met Paul at Shanley (he graduated a few years ahead of our class) And fondly remember his tenacious play during our pick-up games. He was always a competitor, but also a good sport.
Some of our friends and family have been meeting at least once a month at a Taco Shop since 1994. It’s a generational tradition for us now.
Paul always greeted us with a grin or a joke making our family feel warm and welcome.
We’ll miss him.
Gods peace Paul
I’ve been reflecting on Paul and realized how much enthusiasm he had for others and activity. We last spoke at the bank at Northport and had a long conversation; easy to do with Paul. My deepest sympathies.
“… and no whiteness lost is so white as the memory of whiteness.”
Greg Hauge
Our condolences to all who knew and loved Paul. Our love, thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family. Although this is a very difficult time, there is some comfort in knowing that there is a party in Heaven as Paul joins his beloved family that have gone before him. Bless you all…
I was so sad to hear of this news about Paul, the “taco man” at the Redhawks. We had many great conversations over the years, and many hellos and waves as I passed by his stand with my beer onto the next aisle. Often times we traded a beer for a taco, and it was always fun to chat with him. You will be dearly missed, Paul. Peace to all of the family, you raised some great kids!
Emilee and Family,
So sorry to hear about the passing of your father. Remember all the good times and fun you had while growing up and keep his memories close to your heart. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this time.
Rick, Tom, Berry and the 292 Design Group staff
Dear Shirley and family; You all remain in my thoughts and prayers. I am so very saddened for your tremendous loss. I wish I could have made it to the funeral, however, I was with you in spirit. My tears fell as I watched the beautiful memorial video….what wonderful memories of your beautiful family!!