Douglas Charles Johns, 80

Douglas Charles Johns was born in Kalispell on May 7, 1940, the only child of Helen Jane Dickey and Samuel Douglas Johns.

Doug graduated from Flathead County High School in 1958 and served in the U.S. Army in 1962. Doug enrolled in the University of Montana and then worked for the U.S. Forest Service.

Doug married and was blessed with a daughter Karen and two stepdaughters.

Doug received his real estate license to sell and develop residential and commercial property in the Flathead Valley from 1965 to 1982. He also developed a cherry orchard on the west shore of Flathead Lake. In 1983, Doug moved to San Francisco where he founded Pacific Book Auction.

On Sept. 2, 1990, Doug married Celeste Leitch, also a native of Kalispell. Doug and Celeste moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2011 where they opened Johns Western Gallery.

In February 2020, Doug was diagnosed with cancer and passed away peacefully at home on May 11, 2020.

Doug was preceded in death by his father and mother.

Doug is survived by his wife Celeste, and his daughter Karen, two stepdaughters and three grandsons. Doug is also survived by his stepchildren Leslie and Joe, Bob and Pam, three grandsons, and four great-granddaughters.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Northwest Montana Historical Society, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell, MT 59901.