David Easterling

If you’ve walked the hallways of Johnson Elementary over the last several years, you probably didn’t pay any particular attention the floors… or the bathrooms… or the ceilings. That’s a good thing – if your attention is called to any one of those, it’s generally because of something that isn’t supposed to be there.

In my experiences visiting Johnson Elementary, I have always admired just how pristine the campus is. But anybody who works with elementary schoolers (or has one of their own) knows that clean schools don’t just happen. Instead, there are dedicated staff working tirelessly to make sure our facilities are in good condition. Dedicated staff like David Easterling.

In May, David hung up his title of Head Custodian and retired after 35 years of service to Kingsport City Schools. You read that right – David has been making sure you didn’t notice any discrepancies on the floors or bathrooms or ceilings since 1991 – right around the time many Johnson students’ *parents* were being born. But beyond taking care of our facilities, David used his role to fulfill a far greater mission – taking care of our people.

David is a worker at heart and has played a variety of roles since he was a teenager, including stints with JBR Buick and with his brother in construction. But David found a home in KCS because, as he put it, “I was satisfied. I absolutely love the kids. I absolutely love them, and they love me too."

He was the first through the doors each morning and the last to leave each night. He kept every note a student ever wrote him. And yes, they wrote them. Because for the students at AJES, David was more than a Head Custodian in the traditional sense. His title came with the included roles of mentor, confidante, and friend – because that’s who he is at heart.

What will David miss most? Without hesitation, “You know the answer. I miss the kids."

But no need to worry. Despite David’s love for working with kids and working in KCS, he will stay busy in retirement, pivoting more time to focus on Gospel Music – also near & dear to my heart!

A faithful member of his church music ministry, David keeps in his heart a ringing melody, singing 32 years in the Gethsemane Quartet, 4 years with the True Faith Quartet, and frequently with his wife, Deb – including providing music for Johnson’s annual Christmas party!

Normally a Baritone, David can sing any part of an SATB arrangement, as evidenced by a CD he recently recorded, for which he performed all of a four-part harmony AND played rhythm guitar, lead guitar, dobro, mandolin, banjo, and bass guitar — yes, all solo.

He also offered to help me record music of my own. “All you gotta do is ask me, and I'd be tickled to help you — I wouldn't charge you a dime." Be careful what you wish for, David... I might just take you up on that! From sweeping brooms to sweeping melodies, David ministers through everything he pours into.

David & Deb didn’t have any biological children of their own, but they have perhaps one of the largest “adopted” families of any couple I’ve ever met. David’s mark across 35 years with KCS reverberates through thousands of parents and kids alike.

David is a Profile in Commitment – and one of the many people who inspire me to be the most Committed board member that I can be. He’s the first of a few spotlights that I will include as part of our march toward Election Day on August 6. (Side note – this was my MOST favorite part of 2021’s election cycle, and I am so excited to bring it back!)

David might be the next Bill Gaither or Mark Lowry or Buddy Greene. But for me and for the thousands who have the pleasure of knowing him through KCS, David will always be our legendary, all-encompassing Head Custodian.