David (Dave) Robert Johnson

STOW - David Robert Johnson was born April 13, 1931.

On December 22, 2024, he closed his eyes to this life and opened his eyes to heaven’s glory. Dave slipped away quietly with family by his side. Amidst our tears, we told him how much we loved him. He had recently been diagnosed with lymphoma, but his body could not tolerate the chemo treatment. In the last days, all his family was able to be with him. In hospice, many relatives and close friends communicated beautiful messages of love and gratitude for the impact Dave had on their lives. They told us things like “He was the kindest, most loving person I know,” “He represented Christ’s love,” “He was the only one checking in on me,” “He changed the course of my life” and “He was a spiritual father to me.”

Dave found much joy in people. He listened by leaning in and not just making small talk, but by asking deep and thoughtful follow-up questions. From his eyes and body language you knew he cared. Dave’s heart reached out especially to those most in need or hurting. He never gave up on people and he modeled unconditional love. He was one of the most grateful and joyous persons any of us knew. Whenever someone did something for him, however small, Dave would send a text message of thanks within minutes. Dad had so many people that he called “my friend,” and they were all genuine friendships. Some of Dave’s sayings he lived by were “Don’t take yourself too seriously,” “Be known for your love,” “Be thankful, not bitter” and “Build happy memories.”

Dave was a city boy from Chicago who was born to Hazel and Vernon Johnson. He graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School and Wheaton College. He was proud of being in the Wheaton Glee Club and running track under Coach Gil Dodds (who held the American and world records for the mile run in the 1940s). Dave served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956 and was stationed in Europe.

After leaving the Army, he joined the Navigators, a Christian organization, and knew its founder, Dawson Trotman, personally. While working at Nav headquarters, he fell in love with a farm girl from Iowa, Lori Allen. Dave and Lori married in 1961 and together they served the Lord through their 50+ years of ministry. They moved to Indiana to be involved in the Nav’s college ministry at Indiana University and then moved to Germany to reach out to service personnel in the Nav’s military ministry before they were transferred back to New Jersey and then Maryland. After a few years in Maryland, Dave requested a move to the Navigators’ Church Discipleship Ministry, which brought them to Ohio. Dave mentored pastors, helped revise the Navigators 2:7 discipleship series Bible study (over a million copies of which have been sold), discipled countless men, and led community discipleship groups and Bible studies. He also led an Adult Bible Fellowship group at The Chapel in Akron for many decades. He and Lori also traveled extensively overseas, ministering in countries such as Bulgaria, Singapore, and the Philippines. He lived out the Nav’s mission “to know Christ and make Him known.” Dave was committed to disciple making. He and Lori were true disciples, in that they never got tired of learning. He was sharing Christ with others and leading Bible studies up until a few weeks before he passed. By connecting and caring for so many people, he was the embodiment of Daniel 12:3 . . .

And those who have insight will shine like the brightness of the expanse of heaven,
and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Dave loved travelling and playing sports, including racquetball, tennis, and pickleball. He was a loving husband and together Dave and Lori caringly and quietly impacted thousands of people’s lives. Dave took tender care of Lori, joyfully and without complaint, during her health struggles with necrotizing vasculitis until she passed in 2020.

Dave said frequently over quite a few years that he wanted to finish well. Well, we are here as witnesses that he finished well! Well done, thou good and faithful servant.

Dave’s immediate surviving family members are his children, Dan (Lisa), Doug, Deb (Jim), and Dwight (Tami); grandchildren, Maria (Jeremy), Mark, Alana, Carson, Noah, and Benjamin, and great-grandchild, Beckett.

A private interment service for immediate family was held on Monday, December 30, 2024.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 PM, on Friday, January 17, 2025, at the Chapel in Akron (Memorial Chapel), at 135 Fir Hill, Akron, Ohio. The memorial service will be held at 12:30 PM, on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Memorial Chapel, with family available to greet guests the hour before the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Haven of Rest Ministries, 175 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44308, or visit havenofrest.org or The Navigators, P.O. Box 50740, Colorado Springs, CO 80949-0740, or visit donations.navigators.org