David Mark Johnson

On September 9, 2018, David Mark Johnson known to his family and friends as "Droop" has peacefully passed away at a young age of 68. He was surrounded by his loving family who are truly going to miss their husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. David fought a brief, but very courageous battle with a rare and aggressive cancer, Retroperitoneal Sarcoma. On April 13, 1950, David took his first breath in Houston, Texas and then welcomed by adoption, as the first child into the loving family of Ralph Leo and Annie Lois Johnson of Laneville, Texas. David was a faithful Christian and loyal member of the Henderson and Angleton Church of Christ. He graduated from Henderson High School, class of 1968 where he was fondly remembered as good natured, kind hearted, soft spoken and with a fun sense of humor. On July 21, 1969, David unselfishly entered the United States Air Force and completed his basic and technical Military Police training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. His first duty assignment was at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. During this period, he spent two long tours in South Vietnam where he met and married his wife of forty-six years, Minh, and adopted her young son, Tom. During David's military career, he and Minh expanded their loving family by adding their beautiful daughter, Tina and their handsome son, Mark. In addition, David's family was privileged to have lived in South Carolina, Japan, Hawaii, and Idaho. During his time in Idaho, David led his team of Security Forces personnel to Panama under Operation Just Cause. Under his leadership, David and his men returned safely. On October 1, 1992, after honorably serving his country for 24 years, he officially retired from the United States Air Force at Mountain Home, Idaho. David returned home to Henderson where he attended the Kilgore College Police Academy in Kilgore, Texas. Upon graduation, he went to work for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) as an Officer in the Ramsey 1 Prison Unit in Rosharon, Texas. While in the prison system, David built a mutual respect with the inmates who appreciated him for his kindness, fairness, his listening ear, and a genuine concern for their welfare. His practice was that he was not there to torment, belittle or punish another human. It is to David's credit that he never once had an incident or problem with anyone under his charge while employed as a guard during his entire 24 year career with TDCJ prior to his retirement in July of 2017. David was preceded in death by his parents, an older brother, Phillip Michael Rainwater and infant twin grandchildren, Haven Charlynn and Landon Drake Downing. He is survived by his wife, Minh Johnson and their three children: son and daughter-in-law, Tom Van Johnson and Dawna of Angleton, Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Tina Marie Downing-Moreno and Deryck of San Antonio, Texas; and son, Mark Allen Johnson of Boerne, Texas. Four grandchildren survive: Ashley Johnson of Bozeman, Montana; Nickolis Johnson of St. Augustine, Florida; and Christian and Greyson Downing of San Antonio, Texas. David is survived by his siblings: brother and sister-in-law, Keith Patrick Rainwater and Erin of Lakewood, Colorado; sister and brother-in-law Melissa Johnson Duncan and David of Henderson, Texas; and brother and sister-in-law Steven Lance Johnson and Susan of New Summerfield, Texas. Seven nephews and three nieces who mourn Uncle David are Cory and Jonathan Duncan, Erinn Johnson-Walton, Benjamin Johnson, Seth and Ethan Johnson, Sean & Ben Rainwater, Carrie Cullens and Kellie Brewer. David has two great nephews and six great nieces: Aubrey and Addison Duncan, Laynie, Katie, Micah, Jack and Ben Walton, and Avery Johnson. David's family would like to personally thank their vast neighbors for their kind gestures, lawn care and pet grooming while David was a patient at the San Antonio Military Medical Center, formerly known as Brooks Army Medical Center. Also, their sincere gratitude to their church families and friends for the multiple visits, cards, meals, and calls during his weeks of hospitalization and while at home. Finally, a special thanks to his outstanding Hospice Care team, Jerry, Brandy and Tina for their labor of love to David. A Memorial service is set for Friday, September 14th at 11:00 a.m. with Minister Leland Rogers officiating, under the direction of Palms Funeral Home of Angleton, Texas. David's family will receive friends one hour before the service at the funeral home. On the following day, David's remains will be transported to East Texas so his extended families and friend may join in on the celebration. An interment with military honors will be held at 4 p.m. at the Laneville Cemetery, Laneville, Texas, with Minister Leroy Sedgwick officiating under the direction of Crawford A. Crim Funeral Home of Henderson, Texas. David's body will be available for viewing prior to his graveside service from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. at the Crim Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Shriners Children's Hospital in Houston, 6977 Main Street, Houston, TX 77030. To plant a tree in memory of David Mark Johnson, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store. Visitation Friday, September 14th, 2018 10:00am - 11:00am, Palms Funeral Home 2300 E. Mulberry Angleton, TX 77515 Service Information Friday, September 14th, 2018 11:00amInterment Information Laneville Cemetery FM 225 N Laneville, TX 75667