Rev. David Johnson, age 61, of Franklin, Kentucky, passed away after a brief illness on Tuesday, December 31, 2019, at 9:56 PM at the TriStar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
Arrangements are under the direction of Gilbert Funeral Home in Franklin, Kentucky, where services will be held Saturday, January 4, 2020, at 11:00 AM CST at First Baptist Church, Franklin, Kentucky. Rev. Johnson will be laid to rest at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, January 5, 2020, at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Tifton.
Visitation will be held Friday, January 3, 2020, at First Baptist Church, Franklin, Kentucky, from 4:00 PM CST until 8:00 PM CST and Saturday 6:00 AM CST until service time at 11:00 AM CST.
David was born October 16, 1958, in Portsmouth, Virginia to the late Jerry Wayne Johnson and to Joyce McMillan Johnson, who survives, of Tifton.
He is survived by his wife, Pam Brewer Johnson, three daughters, Sarah Johnson Howard (Aric) of Frankfort, Kentucky, Anna Marie Johnson Pavy (E.J.) of Campbellsville, Kentucky and Christen Johnson Napp (Mat) of Montgomery, Alabama; five grandchildren, Aric “Ash” Howard II, Aurora Howard, Olivia Pavy, Nazareth Pavy, Spencer Pavy, and two twin boys on the way; two sisters, Ruby Johnson Dunlap (James) and Tammy Johnson Griffin (Danny); as well as many nieces and nephews.
David was the Minister of Music and Worship at First Baptist Church in Franklin, KY. He earned two Masters Degrees--Master of Church Music from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Master of Arts in TESOL from Campbellsville University. David was a member of the Kentucky Baptist Convention Men’s Chorale. Having accepted the call into ministry at the age of 25, David devoted 36 years to music ministry, serving churches in Georgia, Louisiana, and Kentucky. His music passion was expressed the most through voice, guitar, mountain dulcimer, harmonica, and recorder.
David was also an avid outdoorsman, enjoying kayaking, fishing, hunting, and hiking, in which he completed over 200 miles of the Appalachian Trail. He also enjoyed his motorcycle and British sports car. David was privileged to serve on and lead mission trips locally, to many states around our country, and abroad, including Cuba, Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, Burkina Faso, and Poland. David ultimately loved spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.