David A. Johnson

Surrounded by his family, David Arthur Johnson of Kent City passed peacefully to his Lord and Savior on Friday, December 15, 2023. David (Dave) was born on February 5, 1944, in Kent City, Michigan, to his loving parents Maude Beryl (Power) and Arthur Henry Johnson. He was born to be a farmer - working the same land of his father, grandfather (Andrew Johnson), and great-grandfather (Hendrick Johanson whom migrated from Sweden). Dave was an all-around farmer, mechanic, carpenter, jack-of-all-trades; but, most of all, he was a faithful husband, father, grandfather, friend, and mentor to many. Dave grew up helping on the family farm growing and harvesting potatoes. In 1964, he graduated from the Ag-tech program at Michigan State University. Shortly after, he partnered with his dad and began building barns in preparation for growing a dairy farm. By the time he married Marilee May Morrison in 1972 and moved into the family farmhouse, he had a well-established dairy farm milking around 70 head of cattle. In 1986, because of the economy, Dave made the difficult decision of selling his dairy business. He spent the next few years growing and selling hay and beef cattle until God called him into the strawberry plant business. From 1990 to 2001, the farm and land was transformed. New planting and harvesting equipment was bought along with miles of underground irrigation lines ran throughout the fields. In May, the fields were planted. In summertime, the fields were irrigated, cultivated, and kept free of weeds by the hands of many young people. In October, plants were harvested and sent to Florida for strawberry production. In 2001, after a difficult year of losing the strawberry crop to disease, Dave decided he had had enough. He spent his remaining years continuing to sell hay, raise beef cattle, and teach/show his grandkids and many others the true meaning of hard work and trusting God the farmers way. Besides being a farmer, Dave was involved with Algoma Christian School in a variety of ways, including as a member of the school board in the 90’s while his kids attended. During much of the school’s existence, Dave was the bus mechanic, storer of buses, and always made time for volunteering at the school doing maintenance work, building projects, or just hanging out with the bus drivers and staff who adored him. For many years, Dave served as a chairman for the Board of Review and on the Planning Commission of Tyrone Township. With his father, who passed in 2012, he also volunteered his time as part of the Historical Society of Tyrone Township. Dave and his wife were faithful members of Trinity Christian Reformed Church in Sparta for almost forty years. Unbeknownst to Dave, the Christ-like example he displayed by just living his life impacted many. He has been described as: a simple man, giver, mentor, faithful, wise, never complains, servant-leader, kind, selfless, sweet, steadfast, gracious, strong, calm, loyal, honest, generous, caring, grateful, hard-working, encourager, accepting, and always smiling with a twinkle in his eye. Dave is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marilee; two children and their families, Andrew (Trisha) Johnson of Kent City, Natalie (Wade) Kauffman of Bailey; eleven grandchildren; brother, Tom (Maye) Johnson of Goldendale, Washington. He was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Beryl Johnson; infant siblings, Douglas and Anita; an infant granddaughter, Elia Marilee Kauffman. Please join us in celebrating Dave’s life with a visitation on Monday, December 18 from 3-5 and 6-8 pm at the Trinity Christian Reformed Church, 660 S. State St, Sparta where the service will be held Tuesday 11:00 am. Pastor CJ den Dulk officiating. Interment Idlewild Cemetery, Kent City. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Christian Reformed Church or Algoma Christian Schools. Arrangements by K. E. Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.