David Lee Johnson

1953 - 2026

David Lee Johnson

Born: June 14, 1953 | Died: January 13, 2026

David Lee Johnson, age 72 of Dayton, Tennessee entered eternal rest on January 13, 2026, completing a life defined by faith, humility, excellence, and devotion to God, to family, and to the land and people he loved. While his passing brings deep sorrow, his Homegoing is celebrated with joy and gratitude for a life well lived and a race well run.

David was widely known and deeply respected in the world of bird dog field trials, where he built a storied career spanning more than five decades as one of the sport's most accomplished and admired scouts. Beginning in 1969, David devoted his livelihood to the demanding and often unseen work of scouting, supporting handlers, developing dogs, caring for horses, and ensuring that each dog had the opportunity to show its best in the field. His work began with John Rex Gates of Leesburg, Georgia, where he developed and sharpened his skills. Over the course of his career David scouted nearly 130 champion dogs, earning a reputation as a master horseman, a keen observer, and quiet professional whose contributions often made the difference between a field trial placement and a win.

In 2023, David was inducted into the Bird Dog Field Trial Hall of Fame at The National Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction, Tennessee, receiving one of the highest honors in the sport. With that induction, he joined only one other scout to ever receive that distinction, a testament to his extraordinary skill, dedication, and integrity. Friends and colleagues consistently described him as "a total gentleman," and "highly respected by all."

Those who knew David best understood that his greatness lay not in drawing attention to himself, but in his unassuming service. As one writer noted, he was "always out there but seldom seen," riding like the wind, handling horses like a cowboy, and possessing an uncanny ability to turn the impossible into the possible. His focus was legendary.

Beyond the field, David was a devoted husband, family man, and man of faith. He and his wife, Janie, shared a life of partnership and adventure for 53 years, from summers on the Canadian prairies to years spent in the Southeast's quail country. In 1994 they moved with their two children to Dayton to work for T. Jack Robinson, and David was employed by Robinson Manufacturing for 32 years.

Together, David and Janie have been active members of Rhea Central Church of God, where David's faith, kindness, and steady presence reflected the same quiet strength he showed throughout his life.

To honor and cherish his memory, David is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Janie Johnson; his children, Regina Johnson-Jones and David Johnson Jr. and wife Tracy of Rossville, Georgia and his grandchildren, Eviyon Jones, Jameson Jones, J'Miya Johnson and Daven Johnson.

David is also survived by his siblings Gloria J. Johnson, Curtis Johnson, Larry Johnson (Michelle) all of Leesburg, Georgia; JC (Janelle) Johnson of DeSoto, Georgia; Richard Johnson (Betty) of Springfield, Missouri as well as his in-laws Annie Will Akins of Miami, Florida, Betty Butler (Milton) of Newton, Georgia, Eloise Milledge, Geraldine White, Willie White (Denisha), Frank White (Kathy) of Albany, Georgia; Mack White (Bessie) of Americus, Georgia and Zertie B. White (Rosie) of Leesburg, Georgia.

Additional survivors include his aunts Doretha Edison of Albany, and Clara Lee Johnson , nieces Gabrielle Johnson of Leesburg, Amy Deriso, Cassandra (Tony) Gordon and Janet ("Maurice") Aldridge of McDonough, Georgia; Kayla Stroud of Macon, Georgia; Vanessa Johnson of Americus, Georgia and Miesshia Johnson of Jacksonville, Florida; nephews Derrick Johnson, Jarvis Johnson, Kortez Hopkins, and Calvin "CJ" Johnson; and first cousins Ruby Edison, Alfreda ("Jimmy") Jones of Albany, Clara Speight, Shirley Johnson, and Jerry Johnson of Leesburg, along with a wide circle of extended family, friends, fellow field trialers, and church family who loved him deeply and will miss him dearly.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Irene "Ira Lee" Johnson and Ulysses Johnson Sr, his siblings Elaine Johnson, Ulysses Johnson Jr. and Freddie B. Johnson; in-laws Annie Mae White and Elizabeth Harris, Samuel White Sr (Joan) and Jessie White, and his cousin Wardell Edison.

In accordance with his faith and spiritual tradition, David's life will be celebrated through a Homegoing Service on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Rhea Central Church of God. The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm until 2:00 and the service will start at 2:00 pm. This celebration of life honors his passing, not as an end, but as a triumphant return home to God. Through praise, music, testimony, and thanksgiving, family and friends will gather to rejoice in the promise of eternal life and to give thanks for David's journey from labor to reward.

Though we mourn his absence, we rejoice in his victory. David Johnson leaves behind a legacy of excellence, humility, faith, and love, one that will continue to live on in the fields he rode, the dogs he developed, the people he mentored, and the countless lives he touched.

Those wishing to honor David's Homegoing may do so through a gift to his church, where his faith was nurtured and shared. Address: Rhea Central Church of God, 866 Dayton Mountain Highway, Dayton, Tennessee 37321. The family is being served by Coulter Garrison Funeral Home of Dayton, Tennessee.