David F. Johnson
August 27, 1936 - June 18, 2008
Obituary
David Frederick Johnson was born in Chicago, IL on August 27, 1936 to Harry and Adeline Johnson. He was the youngest son in a family of seven and had four sisters and two brothers. The family attended Washington Gospel Hall and at the age of 8 he accepted Jesus as his Savior, as ‘fire insurance’ after hearing how bad it would be to go to hell. How amazing that such a simple a commitment made by a child will last for eternity!
He attended Glenbard High School, and graduated from Wheaton College in 1958 with a B.S. in Physics and a minor in Education. While at Wheaton he joined the ROTC and won the highest honor out of 2000 cadets at training camp – scoring a record that he was told would stand for many years. Upon graduation, he became a 2nd lieutenant in the US Army. After completing basic training at Fort Sill, OK he was stationed at Fort Lewis, WA. While there he attended First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma. On the first Sunday he arrived in his ’56 Mercury convertible he loved cars and convertibles, top down and parked right out front where he met an attractive young lady named Helen Bitcon. She thought he was there to pick up his child. He thought he should pick her up! They fell in love and were married on April 2, 1960.
Early in his Army career he was diagnosed with colitis. Despite being highly recruited to continue his army career, his colitis became so severe that he received a medical retirement from the Army after only 18 months of service. Feeling called to teach, he began teaching physics at East Grand Rapids High. At that time the National Science Foundation was looking for ways to enhance science education in high schools and was awarding grants for postgraduate studies in science. Dave applied for one of the grants in full knowledge of the requirement for 3 years of teaching experience, not the 3 months that he had. By God’s hand he received a grant and earned his Masters degree in Physics at the University of Michigan! This opened the door to teaching at the college level.
He taught at Fullerton Jr. College, Centralia Community College, and retired from Highline Community College HCC after 33 years of dedication to teaching physics. Dave felt truly called to be at HCC and had a fruitful ‘ministry’ with both faculty and students. Several came to know the Lord and he started a faculty Christian group, had many students in his home, coached the tennis team and was a great encouragement to the Christian students in his classes.
Teaching also allowed him the opportunity to build and remodel over twenty houses, work at Lakeside Bible Camp, Des Moines Gospel Chapel, and spend incredible amounts of quality time having fun with his family during the summer and the rest of the year. He was an avid and strong athlete and excelled at tennis, pickleball, golf, skiing, and waterskiing, and was passionate about bike riding. Physical fitness was always a priority. He also loved working in his garden and sharing his produce with others.
His passion for the Word of God inspired him to memorize thousand of verses and encouraged others to do the same. At Des Moines Gospel Chapel he served as an elder and was involved in many ministries. He was actively involved in adult Christian education, small group fellowships, discipleship, fixing things, and served on the board at Lakeside Bible Camp.
He was highly devoted to his wife, kids, and entire family – and worked hard to create lasting memories. All his life he had fun playing and working with his family. He built his homes and one for each of his children. He was always available to serve his family. He took them on countless vacations, to concerts, plays, and sporting events Go Dawgs! – anything to draw his family closer. He leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Helen, his children and their spouses, Bryan and Carole Johnson, Kevin and Christy Johnson, Kristen and Carter Wade, and grandchildren Spencer, Cooper and Parker Johnson, Kaitie, Colten and Kyla Wade, Sidney Macy and Peter Johnson. Sisters Lois Cory and Verna Sheaffer, and many nieces and nephews also survive him.
An amazing dad, grandfather, teacher and friend who was always quiet, patient and understanding, he gave so much without needing recognition. He looked for his reward in heaven. Praise God he is receiving it now!
There will celebration a of his life at a memorial service on June 28th at Des Moines Gospel Chapel, in Des Moines, Washington. Contributions in the memory of Dave may be made to the TCL or Cooks cabin building fund at Lakeside Bible Camp on Whidbey Island.