David Eric Johnson

WADESBORO - In the early morning hours of Saturday, September 27, 2025, at McWhorter Hospice House in Monroe, Mr. David Eric Johnson, 76, cherished husband, father, grandfather and friend slipped away peacefully from the cares and struggles of living with cancer. Our family and friends rejoice in knowing that he is at peace.

There will be a gathering of family and friends on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 4:30 pm until 6:30 pm at Kevin Lear on Main, 140 Second Street, Cheraw, South Carolina.

Dave was born September 12, 1949 in Cranston, RI and was the son of the late Raymond Eric Johnson and the late Carolyn Graham Johnson Aton. He was a graduate of Raymore-Peculiar High School in Peculiar, Missouri.

After graduating from high school, David proudly enlisted in the United States Navy and served during the Vietnam War. He later continued his commitment to service with the North Carolina National Guard for 12 years.

Dave dedicated much of his career to law enforcement. He served with the Wadesboro Police Department and the Anson County Sheriff’s Office, where he held roles as both a deputy and a detective. Later, he continued his service in public safety with the North Carolina Department of Corrections, working as a correctional officer at Brown Creek Correctional Institution in Polkton.

Following retirement from the department of corrections, he worked for 15 years with O’Reilly Auto Parts in Wadesboro being among their first and longstanding employees.

Dave had a deep love for the water and cherished time spent at the beach and Lake Tillery with his family and friends. Annual beach trips were a beloved tradition and a highlight each year—one he was grateful to enjoy again this year. A devoted fan of beach music, Dave could often be found dancing to his favorite tunes.

He also enjoyed the end of summer trip camping in the mountains with family. Sharing special times and story telling around a campfire was the perfect ending to vacation days for him.

Boating was another of Dave’s favorite pastimes—a passion passed down from his grandfather. He developed a love not only for being on the water but also for repairing boats, a skill he honed over the years. He owned and operated Mishnock Boat Shop, proudly carrying on the name and legacy of his late grandfather’s original business.

Family was at the heart of Dave’s life. He deeply loved and cherished his wife, daughter, and grandchildren—they were his greatest joy and the true light of his life. He would do anything to bring them happiness, and his grandchildren can lovingly attest to his unwavering devotion and his remarkable ability to make anything possible for them.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 53 years, Julie Chewning Johnson; his daughter and son-in-law, Ericka and Josh Chaney of Wadesboro; his grandchildren, Lela Ray, Landon and Greyson; his sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Barbara Dalton of Asheville and Kathy and Butch Thompson of Wadesboro; his step-mother, Celesta Johnson of Robertsdale, AL and his nieces and nephews and their families with whom he shared many close relationships.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Craig Johnson; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Eddie and Mary Virginia Moore Chewning; his brothers-in-law, Darrell Chewning and Leon Dalton and his sister-in-law, Beverly Chewning Hinson.

David’s family is most grateful to the staff of Hospice of Union County and McWhorter Hospice House for the exceptional way in which they cared for him. Their loving care was not just evident toward him but to the family as a whole.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to, Union County Hospice, 700 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe, NC 28110 or to Deep Creek Baptist Church, Building Fund, 1280 Beck Rd., Wadesboro, NC 28170.

David would want his family and friends to honor his memory by loving one another unconditionally and by spending time with those you love.

The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com