It is very rare you ever meet someone like David. Depending on what type of person you are that could be a blessing or a curse. David was extremely intelligent and morally uncompromising, and he was the bane of anyone that wasn’t.  

He genuinely elevated those around him to another level. I always thought it was funny watching him teach ballistics to the new snipers because you could tell he was frustrated that nobody picked up such complicated concepts the first time around. He was clearly gifted with math and physics and I don’t think he ever understood that the rest of us weren’t. Nevertheless he got us all to his level or at least functionally close regardless of the time commitment. 

In what feels like a world of complacent and condescending people all just following the herd, watching someone as brutally honest and upright as David constantly wade against the flow was always as nerve racking as it was impressive. The military is built on a rank system in which you owe people respect regardless of their actual merit. So as long as you stayed in long enough people who had never met you had to respect you just based on a marking on your chest. I know some people became accustomed to this kind of blind respect. That made it all the more jarring for them when they had the misfortune of butting heads with David. To him your rank was a suggestion for respect at best and rightfully so.  It didn’t matter if you were the president of the United States he would tell you if you were screwed up. The cool part was that while a lot of the time this did result in consequences for him, he was too invaluable to get rid of, and he ate whatever punishments were dished out for breakfast. So, he happily spent the majority of his time in the military as a much needed gut check for a lot of people with run away egos.

I spent years beside David as his teammate in our sniper section and I have seen him effortlessly shrug off some of the most stressful and taxing situations I have ever encountered. He was humbling to work with, mentally and physically powerful, loyal to a fault, and, while discreet, oddly thoughtful. For a six foot four pile of muscle that could kill you face to face or from a mile away and sleep like a baby, he had an oddly caring disposition when it came to things like animals or people that needed help. I don’t know how you get a mix like that in a person but it was always wholesome to see.

 Some people are truly just cut from a different cloth. It’s a shame to see David leave us so soon, but it brings me peace to know that he lived a more respectable life than most can ever hope to. 

I had the privilege of knowing David through the scout platoon in 1-68. Though we were in different sections we trained together quite frequently, and it was always a pleasure. He had perfect comedic timing and always had something clever to say no matter how mundane or laborious our task was.

One of the hardest times I laughed in Europe was when we were directed to build this ridiculous sand bag pill box for what seemed like no reason. We all knew it was pointless, and it was something that was easy to get in a bad mood about. 

At least it would have been, if David wasn’t there. I’ll never forget all the funny, clever comments he made, enjoying himself  despite the air of situational discontent. He was full of friendly banter and quips. This was the kind of man he was. Taking something so pointless and turning it into a memory I still get a smile and chuckle out of til this day. Furthermore, reversing the mood of a crowd of Joes in a bad mood is no small task, and he preformed it quite successfully. A small example of how he frequently showed strong leadership by the way he lived his life. 

He was a genuinely good man of solid character.  Men like him are few and far between and he will be greatly missed. He had a positive impact on everyone he served with. 

I am deeply sorry to his close friends and family for the loss you have suffered. He will not be forgotten. 

As a household of those who serve or have served, we extend our heartfelt condolences of David’s passing to Glenn, Valerie, Sam, Lisa & Ann during this time of loss.

While we may not have known David personally, the same honor, courage, and commitment run deep within our family. It pains us to hear that more and more of our military brothers & sisters chose to leave this life too soon, and underscores the need for better support for those who serve and those who have served. 

With deepest sympathy and gratitude.

-The Johnson’s (Patrick, Brandi, Noah & Addison)

David - Thank you for your service. 🇺🇸

I am incredibly proud of your siblings for creating the much needed awareness for mental health, PTSD, and for the dire need for increased accessibility and treatment for our active military men and women.

I (Aimée) lost my only brother and youngest sibling to untreated mental illness and substance use (unknown to family) in 2023. The loss was tragic and devastating. After navigating complicated grief for over one year, I decided I had to find ways to honor him. I educate my patients, work with local sober programs in our community, and spread the word about mental health, substance use disorders, and harm reduction strategies. 

 Our youngest son, Ashton (14), enjoys many of the things you did: Legos (he built the Titanic in five days), gaming, art, and cheese (balls). Although you didn’t meet in this lifetime, I know you will someday. Save him a seat at the Lego table. ❤️

The Johnsons 

Romans 8:18: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ✝️