Heaven welcomed George David Johns on January 10, 2024. He was jolly old St. Nick without the beard, crafting wooden toys in his backyard workshop to share with children of all ages at arts and crafts fairs around North Texas and beyond. At an arts and craft fair, you could always hear his hearty laugh before you saw him, and he was just as likely as not to be away from his own booth talking with a fellow artisan.
Born in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1941, David was an only child, a proud Eagle Scout, a saxophone player in the high school band, and a veteran of the Navy who attended Colorado School of Mines and graduated with a degree in Business from the University of North Texas. He was a supportive, loving father of his two daughters and a beloved grandpa to his seven grandchildren. He was a lifelong and dedicated member of First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, where he met his wife, Judy, and where they were married in 1968. An elder and deacon of First Presbyterian, David was active with the Stewpot, Block Partnership, church youth activities—including starting a scout program for the Saturday School, and Arrow Outreach annual service trips to Mexico.
David worked as an insurance auditor for four decades, driving back and forth across Texas and Oklahoma to countless small towns before the process was computerized. After retiring from auditing, he turned his hobby of toymaking into a small business called The Toycrafter and made toys together with Judy. Toymaking sustained David financially and creatively for 40+ years, and he enjoyed the partnership he developed with good friend Carlos Lopez in the last several years. David is the author of a soon-to-be-published book on toymaking that will be treasured by so many. A dedicated fan of the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys, David attended two Ranger games during their 2023 World Series season. A lover of both country music and jazz, he saw Duke Ellington play in Dallas.
David was preceded in death by his mother, Lois Jennings Johns, father Daniel Johns, and grandson Kory Ballard. He is survived by his wife, Judy Kay Cessna Johns, daughters Patty Bates-Ballard and Peggy Johns-Campbell; grandchildren Gabriella Campbell, Nathan Campbell, Maxwell Campbell, Madelyn Campbell, Lydia Campbell, and Kaden Ballard; and cousin Carolyn Wells. Services will be Saturday, February 3 at 2pm at First Presbyterian Church, Dallas. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Stewpot at www.thestewpot.org/give.
