David Mitchell Johnson

David is survived by his wife, Mary, and children: Steve (Laura), Martha Gardner, and Stu (Carrie). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Neal, Kyle (Bryn), and Megan (Drew) Paz, and Drew (Allie), and Nikki Johnson.

He graduated from Beloit College, where he was a member of the Buccaneers varsity basketball team, while majoring in art and art history. He was an honest, hard-working, and family oriented man who passed those traits on to his children.

As a 6’ 8” elementary school principal he towered above the young students, and each year the kids were eager to see the unveiling of his home crafted halloween costumes. He was loved by the community and the family could rarely enjoy a meal out without a parent or former student politely interrupting to express thanks for some positive impact he had made.

He was an enthusiastic planner who found ways to bring plans to life. While on a single income, he took his young family on road trips to both coasts, visiting campgrounds, National Parks, and ocean beaches. The travel bug carried on later in life as he enjoyed ElderHostels on a wide variety of subjects, including birding trips to both coasts, and from Canada to Costa Rica.

David was a sixty year member of The Grosse Pointe Congregational Church, where his father had been a minister, and a thirty year member of The Players Club of Detroit, on East Jefferson. When not reading The New Yorker, he enjoyed woodworking and gardening.

A visitation will be held on July 8, from 4:00-7:00 p.m., at A. H. Peters Funeral Home, at 20705 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods, and a service held on July 9, 11:00 a.m., at The Grosse Pointe Congregational Church, at 240 Chalfonte in Grosse Pointe Farms.