David Lester Johnson

Born on January 3, 1935, in the back of his grandmother's shoe store, David's life reads like a Cinderella story going from rags to riches. He grew up in Frankfort, MI the son of Harriet (Carter) and Lester Johnson. Playing basketball and football in high school and caddying at Crystal Downs Country Club kept David out of trouble. After high school he moved to Flint, MI and began an apprenticeship program at the Chevrolet plant as a toolmaker. Acting as his own fairy godmother, he turned his pumpkin into a classy 1957 black and white Chevy convertible. This car caught the eye of a cute southern belle at his sister's party. In 1958 he married Betsy (Land) Johnson and they moved to Wisconsin. David graduated from UW Stout in 1962 with his Bachelor's in Industrial Arts and in 1965 with his Master's in Vocational Education. He was a Machine Shop instructor at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College for 25 years.

When he wasn't teaching, David was giving back to the world through his Green Bay Kiwanis Club, the United Methodist Church volunteer mission trips, and Arbor Day events. In retirement, he found his passion making homemade plum wine, volunteering at the Green Bay Botanical Garden, the Neville Museum, Bellin Hospital, and singing with the Baylander Barbershop Chorus. He was lucky to see much of the world with Betsy via camper and organized trips. He especially enjoyed cruises with the grandkids to Alaska, Greece/ Turkey, and the Baltics. When he was diagnosed with Alzheimers, David turned from a quiet, shy guy to the one-liner funny guy.

David is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Lee Axel Johnson. He leaves behind Betsy, his loving and dedicated wife of 63 years who cared for him throughout his 12 years of dementia; four children Karen (Greg) Barr, Diane (AJ Ernst) Johnson, Scott (Juli) Johnson, Janet (Timm Missbach) Johnson, eight grandchildren, Andy, Emily, Ryan, Rachel, Amy, Sam, Hannah, and Greta; sister Carol (Frank) Johnson, brother Roger (Peggy) Johnson, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.

Thomas Fuller said, "He who plants trees loves others beside himself." That was David through and through. We have been blessed.
Visitation will be November 12, 2021 from 9:30 am to 11:00 am at Bethany United Methodist Church (1110 Echo Lane, Green Bay) with a funeral service at 11:00 am. David will be laid to rest in Frankfort, MI in a private service in the summer of 2022.

In lieu of flowers, plant a tree in his memory (https://shop.arborday.org/trees-in-memory) or send a donation to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) at https://umcmission.org/give-to-umcor/ .

The family would like to thank Unity Hospice for their compassionate care of David and his family.