April 29, 1946 – October 3, 2024   

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Darrel Bert Johnson on October 3, 2024, at the age of 78, following a private, 10-week battle with pancreatic cancer. 

Darrel, fondly known as Papa, was born on April 29, 1946, in Cranbrook, B.C. to Lorne and Doreen Johnson. Throughout his childhood in Jaffray and Windermere, Darrel supported the family business, and developed his passion for cooking, farming, and gardening, all knowledge passed from his mother and father – and shared with his two siblings Rosalie and Ken. 

Following his high school graduation, his desire for higher learning led him to the University of Victoria, where he began his studies to become an educator. He achieved his master’s degree in education from Gonzaga University in 1992. Starting his teaching career in Golden in 1968, Darrel went on to become a teacher and principal in the Prince George, Kamloops-Thompson, and Gold Trail School Districts until his retirement. Darrel was well known to be the adventurous teacher, if there was a will, he would find the way to explore the world firsthand. This included hatching chicks every year, maintaining fish tanks, and baking cakes for library prizes. 

Darrel always provided opportunities to students that connected the real world with the classroom environment, which he continued with his grandchildren long into retirement. He fondly reminisced about the many field trips, including taking the train to Ottawa and Victoria, overnight trips to McQueen Lake Education Centre, and exploring Drumheller. He also was always enthusiastic about extra-curricular activities to support learning and building the school community. These included sponsoring multiple Science fairs, Battle of the Books competitions, Young Author conferences, coaching Odyssey of the Mind teams, especially during his years as a teacher-librarian. He supported Healthy Schools initiatives with home reading programs, skating rinks and school gardens, but nothing made him smile more than walking the halls in his Halloween costumes! These included Snuffleupagus, Care Bears, and Tigger to name just a few, all made by his talented wife. 

Darrel moved south to Kamloops in 1977, and somewhere between teaching and breeding Boston terriers, he found the time to meet and woo the love of his life, Marg. They quickly became an instant family. Married in 1979, Darrel and Marg cherished their time and adventures in Kamloops and Lillooet with their children Danya, Dara, and Michaela. Darrel was the ultimate caregiver to all the women in his home. He generously shared his knowledge and love of learning, gardening, and family cooking, including his famous perogies and kalach bread. But most of all, he was the kindest, most compassionate, patient, loving husband and devoted father. 

These skills and life experiences set him up perfectly for retirement in 2003. Darrel enjoyed his time with the Kamloops Thompson Retired Teachers’ Association; however, the true sparkle of his eye was spending time with his six grandchildren. If a grandchild needed a ride, something baked, a science fair project, Papa was there. Visiting Nani and Papa’s Gloaming home is where the garden and toys would burn energy for hours! Time spent in the garden resulted in the creation of “Papa’s Foods”, the one-stop shop from Papa’s Garden or cold storage room, for homegrown fruits and vegetables and dried foods or canning. Darrel always opened his home to everyone who would join or needed a welcoming home to feel the love shared by this family. 

Darrel is predeceased by his parents Lorne and Doreen Johnson, mother-in-law Dorothy Atkins, brother Ken Johnson, brother-in-law Roy Green and nephew Kevin Green. 

His legacy will live on in his wife of 45 years, Marg Johnson, daughters Danya (Warren), Dara, Michaela (Colin) and grandchildren Jordyn, Tylor, Anderson, Gloria, Maya and Chloe as well as his sister Rose Green, nephew Gord (Pam), niece Kim (Jon), and extended family. Additionally, his influence will continue among the community of former educators, students, and gardeners who he inspired. 

A celebration of Darrel’s life will be held on October 26, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., at the Coast Kamloops Hotel, Vista Room. A block of hotel rooms is available for those traveling, under “Remembering Darrel”. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home in Kamloops – to support the care teams to provide for others. Their unwavering support for Darrel and the entire family was monumental as he made his final journey to the everblooming garden. 

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss 

You may offer a message of condolence at Cypress Funeral and Cremation Services for the Baber family. 

• Date : 2024-10-03
• Location : Kamloops