David Carl Johnson

David Carl Johnson, 82, passed away in Wichita, Kansas after a brief battle with esophageal cancer.

Dave was born in 1943 in Norwood, MA to Carl and Mildred Johnson. As an only child, he filled his days playing with toy soldiers, working in models, and messing with cars. He was a paper boy, a grocery stocker, and as a teenager, indulged his love of cars working as an auto detailer. Graduation from high school in 1962 his world changed dramatically with joining the US Army. He initially trained as a radar mechanic for Hawk missile systems and soon found himself in South Korea stationed near the DMZ. Upon his return to the United States, Dave re-enlisted and was encouraged to apply for Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned an officer assigned to the Signal Corp in 1966 and was assigned as a weapons instructor before going to service in Vietnam.

Dave loved Army life. He also loved to travel and spent more than 50% of his career stationed abroad in Germany, Thailand, Turkey, The Netherlands and when stateside the Army orders took him to Florida, Colorado, and Hawaii.

In 1980 he married Peggy (Moench), promising to show her the world. They added to their family with the birth of Adam in 1984. Dave retired from active duty in 1988 after a 27-year career.

As his second career, Dave worked as a Client Account Services Manager for Xerox Business Services retiring a second time in 2007. Throughout his life he continued to pursue his favorite pastimes, building beautiful furniture in his workshop, managing home projects of all types, volunteering as a Verger for the Episcopal Church and also at Hope in the Valley Equine Rescue. He was also always seen cheering on and doing whatever he could in support of Peggy and Adam. He was especially delighted when Adam brought Mallory (Caron) into the family and adored both of his grandchildren Charlie and Maddie.

Visitation will be from 3:00 – 5:00 pm, Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary, 6555 E Central Ave. Private committal will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans, 9111 E. Douglas, Ste. 200, Rm. 210, Wichita, KS 67207; or Hope in the Valley Equine Rescue, 9025 N. Broadway St., Valley Center, KS 67147.