Melvin "Mayo" Johnson

Melvin “Mayo” Johnson, 76, of Grand Forks, previously Grafton, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2022 at his daughters home with family by his side. Mayo was born on October 18, 1945, in Grafton, North Dakota. Early on, he headed to the Pacific Northwest. Mayo married the love of his life, Eunice Knoll on July 20, 1965. Mayo and Eunice spent many years traveling and enjoying life together before putting down their roots in Sultan, Washington, where they enjoyed hosting family gatherings. After 29 years of marriage, Mayo and Eunice welcomed their first and only child Desirae in 1994. The family then settled into Everett, Washington. Mayo loved being a dad more than anything. He spent his time attending field trips and dedicated his time to being a dad. Aside from being a great father, Mayo worked at the Seattle/Snohomish lumber mill as a diesel mechanic until he retired in 2008. The family then relocated to Grafton, ND until 2014 when Eunice passed away. After Eunice passed, Mayo spent the next years living in Washington State, before returning to Grand Forks in 2021. In 2017 and 2018, Mayo’s pride and joys were born, his granddaughters Emmalee and Kaylee. He loved being a grandpa just as much as being a dad. Always ready to love and spoil his girls. He will truly be missed. Mayo leaves behind his daughter, Desirae (Matt) Reimer of Grand Forks; granddaughters, Emmalee, Kaylee, and unborn Mattie; sisters, Diane (Jerry) Kingsley of Lakota, ND, Doris (Dan) Fisher of Washington, and brother, Bob (Joan) Johnson of Grand Forks, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eunice; his mother and father; brothers, Pete and Jimmy Johnson; sisters Gladys, Christine, Joyce and June; and best friends, Ray Osborne and Bob Fisher.