David C. Johnston

David C. Johnston passed away on Feb. 13, 2015 in San Diego, Calif. as a result of complications following surgery; he was surrounded by his family.

Dave and Fay (Montgomery) met while young students at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn. At first, Fay questioned his silly antics; he soon won her over, and from then until forever their hearts were inseparable.

They celebrated 60 years of marriage in April of 2014.

After proudly serving his country in the U.S. Army 10th Infantry Division, he returned to finish his business/accounting degree at the University of Minnesota.

David was proud to work for Arthur Andersen and Co. for 31 years, 16 of which he was a partner.

He brought a creative flare to a numbers-oriented field, specializing in pro sport teams while in Minnesota (clients included the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota North Stars), and The Osmond Family while in Utah.

He was a requested facilitator at the training center in St. Charles, Ill. because he made them…fun.

Dave loved the arts and served on numerous boards in support of them, including the Guthrie Theater in Minnesota, the Pioneer Theater in Salt Lake City, and the Snowbird Institute in Utah.

Dave and Fay moved to Rio Verde in 1994 to begin the adventures of retirement.

Dave was a fun guy, with a capital F! He and Fay entertained with gusto: their Christmas parties were infamous. He was an instigator in starting events like Kite Day and Adult Halloween Trick or Treating (golf carts and liquid spirits). He was instrumental in the country club renovation, and served as treasurer on the club board.

The very most important thing to Dave was his family. He referred to Fay as his “Cactus Princess,” and each night they went to bed, they told each other how lucky they were to have each other.

Dave and Fay’s children, Lori and Scott, were his heroes. He supported everything they did, and loved them beyond measure. He thought of their spouses, Jeff Lee and Michelle Johnston, as family and loved them like they were his own. What he might not have known was that he was our hero.

Dave’s granddaughters, the Minnesota Twins, Andi Saldaña (David) and Meghan Lovelace (Kyle); his grandson, Jack Lee; and great grandchild, Kolby Lovelace; were the absolute lights of his life.

Mom and Dad taught their family what true commitment and everlasting love are.

Dave is also survived by his brother, Robert Johnston, of St. Paul, and Bob’s family. Highlights of dad’s last year included: a family reunion with the Bob Johnston clan in Las Vegas, and their attendance at Andi’s October wedding. These trips turned out to be extraordinarily special.

Mom, Dad, and their sweet dog Bella would watch the sunset and moonrise at night over the desert. When there was a particularly beautiful moon, dad would call us to be sure we all took a look at it. We will see dad in every moon from now until we meet him again.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Wounded Warrior Project would be appreciated: P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675, or on-line at support.woundedwarriorproject.org.

There will be a memorial celebration at the Community Church of the Verdes in Rio Verde on Saturday, March 7, at 11 a.m., followed by a reception at the Rio Verde Country Club.

Burial will be this summer at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minn. Those details to be posted at a later time.