Stanley David Johnston of Huntsville, AL, passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2024, at the age of 88. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Nell Rea Johnston, and his daughter Diana Hase (Tom), his stepson Michael Vojticek (Anggie), and his stepdaughter Susan Stinson (Jay), all from Huntsville. Other survivors include 11 grandchildren, including Jeannie Dickens (Vince), Aaron Hase (Shannon), Christy MacKenzie (Joe), Emma Kimbrough (Bartlett), Anna Harrison (Troy), Ben Hase (Stephanie), David Vojticek (Haley), John Stinson (Chloe), Alexandra Marino (Brandon), Katherine Stinson, and Abby Keel. Additionally, 20 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Jerry Pierce and Bob Ogden and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
David is preceded in death by his parents, William Farris Johnston and Martha Edith Shepard Johnston, his sister, Barbara Pierce, his son, Gregory David Johnston, his stepson, David Vojticek, and his wife Nell’s parents, John and Ollie Rea.
David was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on September 9, 1935. He was a proud graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in accounting. He began his career as a practicing CPA in Atlanta with Arthur Anderson before returning to Birmingham with his young family to join the Downs and Box firm. He soon began his own firm with his partner called Johnston and Raburn. As the practice grew it became clear in 1963 that the growing city of Huntsville was calling his name. David then became only the third CPA in Huntsville. His firm grew over the 40 years he practiced, adding new partners and changing names several times. Johnston, Joyce, and Wiginton eventually became what is known today as Warren Averitt in Huntsville. He became CFO of River Oak Industries, NYSE, for 5 years. After retiring from public accounting, he served for 20 years as the VP of business affairs for his dear friend Ray Jones at G.W. Jones & Sons. He also partnered to develop numerous real estate projects and entrepreneurial endeavors. David served his beloved Huntsville community in many capacities, including as founder, chairman and director of the Committee of 100; founding member of Big Spring Partners; advisory director of the Huntsville Young Professionals; past board member and director of Huntsville Rotary Club, Huntsville Chamber of Commerce, Huntsville Solid Waste Authority, Huntsville YMCA, and Constitution Village. He was also a member of the UAH President’s Advisory Council, and he served on the board at Clearview Cancer Institute and on the Huntsville Industrial Development Board, as well as being the vice chairman of the Madison Industrial Development Board. David served most of his career in the downtown Huntsville business district. He partnered with Downtown Huntsville, Inc., as owner of Downtown Storage on the Clinton Row Project, receiving the Advocate of the Year award in 2018 for his longtime efforts in the redevelopment and promotion of downtown Huntsville earning him the title “Mr. Downtown.” There is so much more that he accomplished than there is room to share, mentoring many along the way.
David loved people: his family, friends, business associates, and downtown neighbors. He freely gave his time to those he cared about, and genuinely took an interest in them. To his family, David was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather —someone who always brightened the room and was always up for a great adventure…just not the grandkids running in his house kind of adventure…he definitely was not keen on that. He will be dearly missed, but we rejoice that he is in his heavenly home with Jesus!
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 10th, from 9-11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 120 Greene Street, with the funeral service following at 11:00 a.m. A private family burial will follow immediately in Maple Hill Cemetery with Laughlin Service Funeral Home assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the GenerosityFoundation.com. The family also wishes to thank the Hospice of North Alabama nurses and Right at Home caregivers.
