David Johnston

July 20, 1941-October 2, 2021

Dad was born in Livingston, Texas to David Floyd & Rena Allene Johnston. He would boast proudly that the doctor charged his parents $23 cash, 10 squirrels and 6 chickens to deliver him. The young family moved to Clute, TX in 1941 for his dad to work at Dow Chemical long enough to make enough money to start a crop back in East Texas. They never left.

Dad graduated from Brazosport High School in the Class of ‘59. After graduation, he attended Wharton County Junior College for one year. Afterwards, he attended Durham Technical College in Houston where he received a diploma.

Dad was always a hard worker. As a young man right out of high school, his first job was working at a Buick car dealership in Freeport, TX. He worked various jobs for a time then worked in the maintenance department at Phillips Petroleum in Old Ocean. The desire to find a job that he really enjoyed prompted him to attend welding school which ultimately led him to become a member of the Pipefitters Local Union 211. Over the next four decades, his pipefitting & welding career took him to jobs in Mississippi, Colorado, Wisconsin, Florida, Maine, New Jersey, New York, and other fun places. In 2019 he was honored by Local 211 as a 50-year member.

Dad joined the Texas Army National Guard in 1964 and served for six years.

Dad met and fell in love with Janice Edwards of Clute. Although she would have preferred to marry in September, he told her that he was getting married on June 25, 1965, and that he would like for her to be his bride. She was, and they were happily married for 56 years. Because he married a twin, his sister in-law and brother in-law, Anice and Milton Fenley, are a huge part of the family. The foursome would go everywhere together. Dad would tell you that he and Milton were always the last to know.

Dad loved listening to bluegrass music and attending bluegrass festivals. He played both upright and electric bass and also guitar for many years. One of his favorite pastimes was working on his 1936 1-1/2 ton Ford truck.

Dad was known for his generosity and concern for the down-trodden and was always willing to help those in need.

Dad was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Floyd Allen.

Dad is survived in life by his Honeybabe, Janice Johnston; son David Michael and wife Stephanie Johnston of Magnolia, TX; Brian Casey and his wife Monique Johnston of Austin, TX; two beautiful grandchildren Rachel & Cori Johnston of Magnolia, TX; and Milton and Anice Fenley of West Columbia.

Dad is a lifetime member of Destination Church (Formerly known as Clute First Assembly of God) where he served in numerous capacities through the years.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at Restwood Funeral Home in Clute from 5:00-7:00pm. The funeral will take place at 2:00 pm on Sunday, October 10, 2021. Interment will be at Restwood Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Destination Church, P.O. Box 1147, Clute, Texas 77531.