David Byars Ray Johnson joined the faculty of the School of Pharmacy in 1918. He became Dean of the School of Pharmacy in 1919 and held that position for the next thirty years, the longest tenure of any Dean of a School or College at the University of Oklahoma.

Dean Johnson received a Pharmaceutical Graduate (PH.G.) degree in 1906 and a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) in 1914, both from Valparaiso University in Indiana; then he came to the Unversity of Oklahoma where he received his Master of Arts (M.A.) in 1918.

During his lengthly service. Dean Johnson worked tirelessly to improve the status of pharmacy both within the University and across the state. He was a member of the United States Pharmacopoeia Revision Committee for several years. He also served as a member of the University of Oklahoma Publications Board for 26 years. In 1927, Dean Johnson was president of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). As president, he recommended in his inaugural speech that, "As soon as possible a four year course in pharmacy be adopted by all Schools of Pharmacy."

The 1935 Sooner was dedicated to Dean David B.R. Johnson with the following caption: "Dean Johnson serves the students of his school as advisor, instructor and friend and the students of the University at large as their representative on the Publications Board. He is loved and respected by all who come into contact with him. His advice, assistance, and encouragement have been indispensable in the preparation ofthis edition of the Sooner yearbook.

When Dean Johnson retired in 1949, his thirty years of service saw OU's Pharmacy School grow to the fourth largest in the nation. In 1950, Johnson ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the state senate.

History sited from: Centennial, The University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy; Author Leo Glenn Tate