David Johnson Jr.

David Johnson, Jr., 90, of Cleveland, Ohio, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 3, 2015. David was born to his late parents, David Johnson, Sr. and Juanita Johnson Lewis in Huntsville, Alabama on December 17, 1924. As a child he moved from Huntsville to Akron, Ohio with his mother, and after a few years, moved again at the request of his late Aunt, Georgia Massey, to come live with her in Chicago. David returned to Akron to continue his education as a teenager in the Akron Public School system. He married Miss. Natalie Lowe in 1942. Born from their union was a daughter, Joyce (Johnson) Davis. He was employed at the Ravenna Arsenal. On March 24, 1943, after arriving late to work, he was told not to report to his regular worksite located in the storage facility where he and other workers stacked cluster bombs. Later that day a massive explosion occurred in the same storage facility killing 11 men.  Four months later, he joined the United States Army in WWII. While serving in the Army from 1943 to 1946, David achieved the rank of Sergeant. Among his deployments he spent 14 months in Okinawa, Japan, and later while on his way back to Japan he was diverted to Korea for 8 months following the dropping of the Atomic Bomb. His war decorations and citations include the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, W/1 Bronze Star, American Theater Ribbon, and Victory Medal. He talked often about his time in WWII, especially his time in Japan, describing also how native Koreans greeted the arriving African American troops by touching their hair and asking many questions. Following an honorable discharge from the Army, David returned to Akron. In 1948 he married Miss. Dolores McCurty, and during their marriage daughter Dianne (Johnson) English was born. Following employment with the city of Akron, he joined the U.S. Postal Service in 1951. A year later he married his third wife, Miss. Bette (Morton) Johnson, and welcomed three children to their union, Caprice, Dana and Jeffrey. During the marriage they moved to Cleveland and raised their family in the Collinwood and Glenville neighborhoods. David always had a desire to become a police officer and later fulfilled the state of Ohio requirements to be a private peace officer. He worked different security assignments, including with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District at Collinwood High School. He also followed his love for his community by volunteering with local neighborhood groups and programs, including serving as Treasurer of the Cleveland 6th District Police & Community Relations Committee, the Cory United Methodist Church food pantry, Ward 8 Club, the East Blvd Street Club and more. He also assisted his son, Jeff, with his responsibilities at City Hall, often joking that his help made him a better Councilman. David was known by his neighbors as someone they could go to for assistance with solving any problems occurring on the street and in the neighborhood. He didn't hesitate to offer his help. Because of his community work over the years he has received recognition and awards from the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, state of Ohio, U.S. Congress and other organizations and groups. His eventual confinement to a wheelchair did not stop him from attending and enjoying community events like the Glenville Festival, holiday celebrations and other city events. David also loved the time he spent with other veterans during his visits to the VA Hospital for his clinic care and rehabilitation sessions. The doctors, nurses and staff became his friends while providing excellent medical care for him. David is also preceded in death by Virginia (Johnson) Wilson (sister); Georgia Massey (aunt); Billy Davis (grandson); and Betty Rice (grandmother). He leaves behind five children - Joyce Davis (Bill), Dianne English, Caprice Johnson, Dana Johnson and Councilman Jeff Johnson; 4 grandchildren - Monique Christian (Terry), Levine Ross, Dawn English and Dana English; 2 great grandchildren - Bryson Ross and Tamia Christian; "adopted" daughter, Lori C. Jones; future daughter-in-law, Felicia Williams-Helmick; close friends, Jessie Mathis, Jake Morrison, Jr., Larry Smoot and Leon Robinson; Home Care nurse, Mary Green; Health Care worker, Jessica Darian; and a host of other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Service

Saturday, December 12, 2015 10:00 AM
Historic Greater Friendship Baptist Church
12305 Arlington Ave Cleveland 44108, United States