It is with deep sadness that our family announces the death of John David Twiggs Johnson. He was born on July 6, 1927, to Kathryn and Thomas Johnson.
Growing up at his beloved Isle of Hope, he was afforded a life on the river, which helped shape his world in many ways. At the young age of 12, he boarded a train to Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA. After completing his studies at Episcopal, he attended Davidson College, graduating in 1949.
In the last two years of WWII, David served in the Merchant Marines in the North Atlantic and in Europe. After his service, he returned to Savannah to start his profession as a stockbroker at Johnson, Lane, Space, Smith & Co. Later, as President, the firm expanded to nine additional offices in four states. He retired in 2010 from the firm, which had become part of Wells Fargo, as its Chairman Emeritus.
As a committed community leader, David served on the Board of the American Stock Exchange, as a Trustee of Davidson College, as Chairman of the St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System Board, on the Board of the United Way and the Savannah Benevolent Society. He was a board member of both the Oglethorpe Club and the Chatham Club, as well as a member of Rotary. He served as Commodore of the Savannah Yacht Club. In addition, he served as a Benefactor of Savannah Country Day School. David was named an Honorary Member of the Girl Scouts for obtaining the property for the Girl Scout Camp at Rose Dhu.
Devoted to Isle of Hope, he participated in many endeavors. While raising his two daughters, David was part of the original group that built St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Isle of Hope, having served as head of the Vestry for many years. In 1996, David purchased the Isle of Hope Marina, which saved Bluff Drive from the hands of developers and allowed it to stay in its current condition.
David was an avid sailor and he and his family hosted regattas, including the annual Burnt Pot Races from their home. As a young sailor, he won the Miami/Nassau Ocean Race as a crew member aboard “The Geechee”.
In the early 2000’s, he and his wife, Peggy, traveled to France and took an apartment in Paris where they enjoyed many happy days of French food, wine and adventures! They later returned to Isle of Hope, where they enjoyed days of fishing, crabbing, shrimping, and lunching on the dock.
For those who knew and loved him, David was known as the epitome of a Southern gentleman. He never raised his voice, had an easy laugh, and touched more hearts than he ever knew.
He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Peggy, his daughter Jan Curran and her husband Michael, his son in law Einar S. Trosdal III, his grandsons Jordan Curran and his wife Chelsie, Richard Trosdal, Storm Trosdal IV and his wife Lynn, his granddaughter Katherine Rosenblum, and her husband David, and ten great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Carolyn J. Trosdal, his granddaughters Kathryn T. Curran and Margaret M. Curran and his four siblings.
We would like to thank Hospice Savannah and his devoted caregivers who were so important to him in his final days.
There will be a private family funeral at a later date. Remembrances may be sent to Hospice Savannah, P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416 or to the Kathryn T. Curran foundation, c/o Savannah Community Foundation, 2225 Norwood Ave., Ste B., Savannah, GA 31406.
Savannah Morning News
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Posted online on October 09, 2021