Derek Wade Johnson, age 35, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024, in his new home in Bend, Oregon.

Born on July 24th, 1989, in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Derek was the youngest of three children to Scott and Kelly Johnson. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee before advancing his education at Hack Reactor in California.

In pursuit of a career in software engineering, Derek moved from the Midwest to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2017. His siblings fondly recall Derek’s natural love for problem-solving and his impressive self-taught skills in technology. As a teenager, Derek often spent time dismantling computers and even rewiring the car dashboard for fun. Moving west to become a software developer was a natural step for Derek to take as he began to build the life he wanted, and he was a talented and valued team member at several tech companies.

Derek embraced an adventurous spirit and sought out life’s many experiences. He loved to travel, having crisscrossed the U.S. multiple times and even lived and worked in Germany. Vacations in Maui, San Diego, and Big Sur with his partner, Ashley, were recent highlights in his life. Derek and Ashley cherished long weekends away from their first home together in Oakland, California, where they enjoyed camping, surfing, going to the beach and hiking with his dog, Butters, and exploring nature. A visit to Bend, Oregon, inspired their recent relocation in mid-August. Derek had just begun exploring the area and ticking off his list of Bend adventures.

A natural athlete, Derek loved spending time outdoors with his mother, Kelly, sister, Dana, and brother, Devin. Snowboarding, diving, running, skateboarding and surfing were among his passions. His creativity extended beyond sports—he took up multiple musical instruments, enjoyed drawing, painting, sculpting, and design.

His commitment to supporting his loved ones will never be matched. Derek loved his family and partner in a radical and remarkable way. His way of showing up and being present for not only his family, but Ashley and her family as well, set him apart. He truly made it an unquestioned priority to support those he loved the most. We’ll always be grateful for the comfort Derek could bring us during challenging times.

Derek is preceded in death by his father, Scott Johnson. He is survived by his partner, Ashley Cramer, his mother, Kelly Johnson, his siblings, Devin and Dana Johnson, his nephew, Brady Johnson, his nieces, Norah and Abbie Johnson, his maternal grandmother Mary Jo Martin, and his paternal grandfather, Wayne Johnson.

A Celebration of Life will be held in honor of Derek in his hometown of West Bend, Wisconsin, on Thursday, September 26 at 5:30 pm at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel (1420 W Paradise Dr. West Bend, WI 53095). The gathering of friends and family will be on Thursday, September 26th from 4:30pm until 5:15pm.