David C. Johnston Jr.

Through most every event in his life, David nurtured, encouraged, explored and savored life to the fullest. He was considered by this lawyer friends to be a Lawyer’s Lawyer. And he always wore his cowboy hat.

David C. Johnston, Jr. was lifted by his Savior into his Heavenly Home after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. A Celebration of David’s Life will be December 12th, 2015 at 11:00 A.M., at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, OKC, OK.

David was born in Oklahoma City, the son of David C. and Gladys E. Johnston. He attended New Mexico Military Institute. He received a B. A. in Business from OU, and his J. D. from OCU School of Law in 1961. Four generations of the Johnston family have practiced law in Oklahoma, a fact of which he was very proud. David was nationally recognized in the field of Aviation Law. He was an active participant in Habitat for Humanity, past president of the Downtown Lions Club, and served 2 terms as President of Heritage Hills Historic Preservation, Inc.

David served in the USAF during the Korean War. After his Honorable Discharge, he put himself through Law School at night becoming a Defense Attorney in Aviation Defense Litigation.

David leaves a wife, Karen who loved him dearly for 41 amazingly adventuresome years. Children: D. Craig Johnston, OKC; Cindy McAuley (Mark) Half Moon Bay, CA; Step-daughters Tiffany Hawkins of Celina, TX and Nicole Black of Carmel, IN. He was pre-deceased by a step-daughter, Courtney Ann Dawson of Tulsa, OK and infants, Diana Lynn and John Charles Johnston.

David (PaPa) leaves his grand-children, all of whom brought great joy to his life: David Colin Johnston (Heather), Katelyn Johnston (who served as PaPa’s caregiver/helper this last yr), Lindsey and Kaylee Dawson, Callie and Chance Hawkins, Montana Borth, Mark Jr., Nicole, Taylor, Preston and Aspen McAuley.

David was great at so many things. Making unforgettable memories was his forte, for he loved to make fun things happen. He became a private pilot, holding commercial, multi-engine and instrument ratings. Family ski trips to Breckenridge, were a favorite. He loved singing in the choir at St. Luke’s, woodworking projects, sailing his boat on Lake Hefner and the waters of the Virgin Islands. He was a rancher, cowboy camp cook with all the cast iron a cook could want! He raised Corriente cattle on his Lazy J Bar Ranch and was an accomplished team roper. He enjoyed trail riding with the Verde Vaqueros in AZ and NMMI Alumni Assn. in NM, where he served as a camp cook, having built his own chuckwagon. He loved bird hunting and was a long time member of the Grand National Quail Club in Enid, OK. For many years he also served on the Board of the Grand National Quail Foundation.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations in David’s name and (Dedicated to RESEARCH): The Alzheimer’s Assoc. Oklahoma Chapter, 2123 N. Classen Blvd. OKC, OK. 73106.