Obituary - Mr Frank David Johnson.   28th September 1933 to 31st July 2008

 

 

Mr Johnson who was known to all as David died at the age of 75 after a stroke. He was born in Manchester on 28th September 1933 and later attended Manchester Grammar School. In 1956 he graduated from Leeds University with a 1st Class Honours degree in Colour Chemistry.

 

In later years when left in charge of his young family during the school holidays, David would use his knowledge and love of colour to cook and produce such things as coloured custard. In her tribute speech his youngest daughter Fiona recalled that “green was Dad’s favourite colour for custard. But, she added, however colourful it was it was never lumpy custard”.

 

After 2 years National Service in the RAF David married Enid, whom he had met through the local church where they were both in the choir.

 

David’s first career in Colour Chemistry came to an end when he decided to follow a vocation in education and attended Bolton Teacher Training College. During that time, such was David’s resourcefulness that the couple moved house by bus. Their next relocation was to Sussex when David took up a teaching post at Lewes Technical College. It was there that the twin daughters Alison and Sandra were born. Three years later saw a move to Swindon where David taught chemistry and some maths for the next 20 years at the Technical College.

 

In 1963 the family finally bought a house in Ermin Close, Baydon, where the couple became very much a part of the community, and supported one another in their various roles in village life. Earlier this year Enid and David celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with their daughters Alison, Sandra, Fiona and their respective husbands, grandchildren Emma, Ben, Zoe, Henry, Robyn and Josh and great grandchildren Jordan and Toby.

 

A service of thanksgiving and celebration of the life of Mr Frank David Johnson was held with a packed Baydon St. Nicholas Church on Friday 8th August at 10.30am.

 

David was a very intelligent man with many gifts, said Rev. John Railton who led the Thanksgiving service. He would be remembered for his sincerity, thoughtfulness, patience and a wonderful sense of humour.

 

By Barbara Furber – August 2008

 

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