Known of him for many years,  serviced  some of my cars before I had any idea what I was doing, always a great conversation on the forums,  he will be missed.

 :'(   I'm never good with words in these situations.  For now, all I can say is that I thank the good lord for giving me the opportunity to know him.  I've met a lot of very inteligent people in my life, but David was one of those rare individuals that was not only inteligent, but wise as well.  Every time I've had conversation with him over the years I walked away amazed at his vast knowledge, his insight into situations and his unique sense of humor.  David, if you can see the forum from there, I'd just like to say rest in peace my friend.  Hope to see you on the other side someday.  Until then I gonn'a miss you.

Pray for Linda and their family.   :'(

You was one funny son of a gun.  Miss ya Man. Thanks for helping this bone head. SC

Truly  sorry to hear about it. He was a great guy and one of the few that got my brand of rough humor. About everything I know about a VW came from David. Except that crazy lowering stuff I blame Rick for that. There was no better guy around than The Godfather. I spent quite a bit of time out in the garage at his place when I lived in TN. He was a wealth of knowledge and a wise bird. Probably kept me from going fully ballistic  more than once.... And the totties twernt bad either. Hell I loved the fella like my own grampa and he didn't shoot me with the musket for lowering a T34 so I assume he liked me a bit...or he ran out of ammo launching it all towards the Triangle. I'll miss ya David,give em hell.

The kids and I want to thank everyone for their love and prayers.  David would have loved these comments!!  I will, eventually, be able to call and talk with some of you.  Right now, my voice is completely gone.  Please continue to keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers.
Linda Johnston

Things won't be the same without the Godfather keeping us on our toes and stirring up the forums. He was always happy to share his tremendous experience with us and I know we all learned a thing or two from him, myself included.

I called Fred last week and let him know. He and Shannon and Rachel send their best. Thank you Linda, and please keep in touch!

My father called me with the news of his passing that morning and it still hasn't sunk in..

"Dave" as I always called him, has a very special place in my heart and just like he was to many of you, he was a great mentor to me. I was born and raised just down the street from him and he was one of those people that I always knew. The fact that he was a neighbor and my fathers passion for VW's is surely what started this relationship.

As soon as I was big enough for my parents to let me take off on my bicycle, I would have to go see what Dave was working on.. Often times he would sit me on top of his tool box and let me watch what he was doing while I asked a million questions. He always answered my many questions and "fueled the fire" at the same time- knowing that I would just come back the next day to ask a million more. It eventually got to the point to where when it was dark and I wasn't home, my mother would call his house looking for me. Aside from all of the neat mechanical things that he always had going, he also had one of the greatest dogs ever- his Golden Retriever "Evan" and since my mother wouldn't let me have my own, I adopted his and have many fond memories of him as well. Just like VW's, this is exactly why I have such a passion for Golden Retrievers and have two of them right now.

 Needless to say, I was always intrigued and inspired by his attention to detail and ability to restore anything mechanical. He always inspired me to take the next step and to take the time to do things right. Later on I was fortunate enough to work with him at Lockharts VW where I got to experience all of these things first hand - including his can of "bus be gone"

I will also never forget the last time I went to him when I was at a mechanical "dead end". I had decided that I wanted a transmission rebuilt and really didn't know anyone who could rebuild my watercooled 5-speed trans the way I would want it done. He basically told me that after all I had forced myself to learn, why would I want to stop with transmissions?.. and If I wanted it done to my satisfaction, I would have to do it myself In his words transmission rebuilding was the "final frontier". Needless to say, I am very glad I did do it myself and transmission rebuilding is something that I have thoroughly enjoyed.

I could go on and on with the memories...

Chris