Darwin Gene Laverne Johnson

Darwin Gene Laverne Johnson, 82, of Hinsdale, Montana, passed away on January 13, 2026, in Lewistown, Montana.

Born on June 5, 1943, in Glasgow, Montana, to Ruth and Lester Johnson, Darwin grew up splitting his time between school in Hinsdale and working on the family farm and ranch north of town. Those early years instilled in him a strong work ethic, ties of brotherly love, and an appreciation for the simple joys of rural Montana life.

As a student, Darwin excelled in mathematics and lettered in basketball and football. After graduating as salutatorian of his class from Hinsdale High School in 1961, Darwin went on to complete two years of training in electronic engineering at Weltech College in Salt Lake City, Utah, before enlisting in the United States Navy in 1964.

In 1967, while stationed at Lakehurst, New Jersey, for the commissioning of the USS Camden, he met a fashionable and vivacious young woman named Sandy. She captured his heart, and just seven months later they were married—beginning a loving partnership that would last 49 cherished years.

Darwin’s naval service took the young couple to Bremerton, Washington, and Long Beach, California. In 1968, Darwin contemplated accepting an offer of employment with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) but ultimately chose to return to his Montana roots. There, he and Sandy built a life together, raising wheat, cattle, and their two children, Matthew and Paige. The Johnsons made their home on “Happy Flats” just east of Hinsdale; over the decades, they steadily expanded their acreage to include neighboring farm properties in the Genevieve area.

Always willing to give back to the community that shaped him, Darwin served as a board member for Hinsdale Schools, the Farmers Union, the North Valley Grazing District and the Farmers Elevator. He was also an active member—and former commander—of the Willie L. Nelson Post #45 of the American Legion.

He will be remembered for his distinctive smile, easygoing personality, and the quiet strength he brought to everyday tasks. Darwin modeled kindness, patience, faithfulness, and love—not only in soft-spoken words, but in the way he lived his life, especially toward his family and friends. He valued family, hard work, and quiet contentment.

Darwin is now reunited with his beloved Sandy in heaven, in the presence of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Lester Johnson, and his cherished wife, Sandy. He is survived by his children, Matthew (Sonja) Johnson and Paige (Jason) Miller; his brothers, Dennis (Annette) Johnson and Donald Johnson; his grandchildren, Chaz (Venus) Johnson, Brett Johnson, and Gabe Miller; great-granddaughter Rayne Miller; and many extended family members and friends who were blessed by his gentle spirit.

Darwin's legacy lives on in the land he loved and the family he cherished.

A visitation will be held at the American Legion in Hinsdale on the evening of Friday, January 23, 2026, from 3-6:00 p.m.. A celebration of life will follow on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with interment at the Hillview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hinsdale American Legion.