David Johnson

Johnson , David 10/4/1942 - 12/29/2020 Richland David Johnson, age 78, of Richland Michigan died peacefully with family by his side, on Tuesday evening, December 29, 2020. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on October 4, 1942, David (Dave) Johnson was the son of Reuben C. Johnson and Anita Sheridan. In his high school years, he liked to play sports and drive cars, always having an interest in automobiles and motorcycles. After joining the Army in 1961, he had higher education sights set on Westpoint. But a failed eye exam forced his dreams to shift to another calling, as an educator. After his Masters in Education at The Ohio State University, Dave took to soft pitch AAA Baseball, becoming a member of a travel club. He made lifelong friendships while teaching vocational education and met Nancy F. Johnston of Kalamazoo. They married on Valentines Day, 1979 and had one son, David Curtis Johnson Jr. later that summer. Dave's beloved wife Nancy preceded him in death October 2014. A profound competitor, he enjoyed cards, golf, billiards, and grew into his passion for sailing that he continued for the remainder of his life. He was a teacher and administrator for over 35 years, serving Van Buren, Gull Lake and Ingham Intermediate Schools in Mason. He was a DECA (Marketing) Leader, a valued teacher's union representative and board member, a member of the Gull Lake Country Club/Yacht Club, board member and a lifetime achievement recipient of the International 210 Class. In his later years in life, he loved sailing every chance he could, always asking youthful new sailors to come and learn from "Big Dave". He was always proud of family ties to his step- daughter, Melinda Titus, and his son Daver but revelled in his patriarchal role as "Poppa" to his grandchildren; Jenni Landers, Jimmy Chadwick, Katie Chadwick, Nolan Johnson and Mason Johnson. Dave is survived by his children; Melinda Titus (Jim Chadwick), David C. Johnson, Jr. (Katie Johnson, MD), sister-in-law Jan Lee, his grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and several close friends. A public visitation will be available at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel, on Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. COVID-19 safety precautions will be followed. Private services for family will proceed and interment will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Michigan DECA or First Presbyterian Church, Richland. A celebration of his life will happen later this spring/summer. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.