From his church friend Pauline Renfroe: "Melanie, I just woke up and saw your post. I'm in tears... I am so sorry. Tony is such an incredible spirit. The only thought that comes to my mind is that he is serving his mission now. I don't know what to say, because all I can do is cry. I wish words helped heal things like this because I would say them all to help the pain."
A band friend - Alexis Wittwer: "I just want to let you know I am sorry for your loss and I will be praying for you and your family. It was a pleasure to be in band with AJ and even though I haven't talked to him since I graduated he was a great guy! He was loved by a lot of people and my news feed has been flooded all afternoon with posts of kidness, sadness, and comfort. "
A missionary that served in the young singles ward - Allie Hunt: "Hello- you probably don't remember me; I served as a missionary in the young single adult branch for half of my mission and was able to get to know Tony and be in your home with your beautiful family. I'm extremely saddened to hear of his passing, and can't even begin to imagine what you are going through! Just know my prayers are with you and your wonderful family! God bless!"
High school friend - Autumn Walleck: "Hi I just wanted to message you and express how sorry I am for your loss. I just saw on Facebook about AJ and it really tore me up. In high school he was always there for me making sure I had a great day even through the roughest moments of my life. He truly was a great guy and I am so incredibly sorry for the hurt you must be feeling because I can't imagine. I know how hurt I am and I haven't even seen him much since graduation, but I'll be praying and thinking of your family through this rough time."
The facilitator for a girl and a gun chapter that I attend, Tracy Hughes: "Melanie...I know that your super busy and can't chat right now, but I wanted you to know that your A Girl and A Gun sisters are with you in though and prayer. You have an army of ladies ready to help if they're needed. We had a moment of silence for Tony, you and your family before we started breakfast and bullets this morning. ((((((((HUGS)))))))))"
(A moment of silence - that really touched me)
A friend - Cain Collins: "I know that we've never met. But I wana offer my condolences. Aj was one of my best friends and he was there for me when I lost my grandma pat. He was truly an amazing person and one that the whole world is gonna miss."
His friend (and was supposed to be his roommate) Carolyn Odonnell: "I don't even know what to say.. I'm so so so sorry. I can't imagine what your going through. He was so loved. I was so happy to meet you on Monday. He talked about how amazing you are. Please, if you need ANYTHING let me know. I don't care what it is. I'm here for anything you need I would love to help. Just give me the word and I'm there."
Her facebook post "Anthony, We didn't know each other longer than this past year but we clicked immediately and we became friends. So much so that in 2 weeks we were suppose to move in together. We had so many plans, we even picked out your puppy together. It would have been so fun living with you. I knew we would have come home from work every day and talk about all the assholes that we had to deal with and work on your bike. We had so many plans I don't even know what to do with our apartment now. I miss you so much. I wish I had gone into work on time yesterday so I could have talked to you one last time. Losing two close people in one month has to have been one of the hardest points in my life. I know you and Nicole are watching all of us from up there. Prayers towards your closer friends and your sweet mother and family.
RIP Brother, amazing friend, and the best roommate I could have ever had"
A facebook post from a friend from school (and son of a friend of ours) - Rob Smith "I recently lost a close friend of mine, Anthony Johnson. He and I were great friends throughout junior high and part of high school. It was hard hearing the news and then coping with it. I do wish I was able to aactually be there but I'm on this bog metal box for awhile, so when i do return, AJ, ol' buddy ol' pal, I'll stop by and chat. Thank you for all the memories and teaching me that life is a very vauble thing. "
I don't have a specific message from a friend Jennifer Warman - but she sent many, and worked with the high school band director to get the news out to band students, share the crowdfund page, and get a lot of pictures from his band/high school days. I remember Tony speaking often of Jennifer and her sweet baby.
A poem a friend of ours, Kayla Bourque, wrote for us: "My Baby Boy
There are no words to say all that is in my heart.
A child full of life, a man full of love,
You brightened my day just by being you.
My baby boy.
Received by Jesus, much too soon for me,
As my tears fall, He is wiping your tears away.
As I feel broken, you are made complete.
My baby boy.
What I wouldn't give just to hold you one more time.
To kiss your cheek and hear you say, “I love you.”
One more time.
My baby boy."
A friend from high school, Taylor Faulkner: "Hi it's me again. I just wanted to share with you and thank you for raising such a gentlemen son. He was always there for me to talk to and he always checked up on me when I posted sad stuff on Facebook. He was such a great friend. I just wanna thank you again and send your family my love. Hope to see you Tuesday. "
A message to our family from the Christensen family at church: "Steve I really don't know you as a person, and I hope to change that in the future but on the other hand I feel like I've known you for a long time because I've known Tony for a long time and through his actions and how he treated other people I know you are and awesome man, dad, and husband! Melanie I've know you for a long time and have always been uplifted when you are around. I know that you also have contributed large parts of who you are to what made Tony who he was. I love how even at the toughest of times you both are finding the happy times and shared moments that become memories! Grace I've watched you and Tony grow up in more ways than one and I am truly blessed to know all of you. To all of you we are keeping y'all in our thoughts and prayers. If there is anything that you need please don't hesitate to reach out to us! I'm sorry that it has taken me this long to reach out to y'all since that day you called me Melanie I just didn't have words to express how I felt and feel! From the bottom of our hearts we love y'all. "
From Diane Dart, mom to Dylan (which was one of tony's best friends): "Hi. I don't think I've ever met you but I've known AJ for a long time. I just wanted to let you know how truly sorry I am for your loss. AJ was at our house the other night with Tres and my son eating dinner. We sat around the table and talkedand laughed for a few hours. He was a wonderful young man who was always welcome at our house. If there's anything we can do to help please let me know. I'm so sorry."
A girl from church we've known since she was itty bitty, and Tony dated for a short time - Autumn Mosis: "Hey Sis Johnson. I've meant to message you.. I just haven't known what to say. I love your family so much. Tony was an incredible young man. He made such a great impact on me. There are so many memories, but I don't know what to share. He was always super supportive of me, and I am so grateful for his influence in my life. Please, let me know if there's anything I can do. I love you all!"
Friend from high school - Rob Mullins "I went to High School with AJ as well as played basketball with him at Harby Junior High. We use to be much closer friends then, but I still count him as one of my closest friends. I dont know if you remember me, bu AJ went to one of my birthday parties at a paintball field in Jr. High. He was a great friend and will be greatly missed. I am currently in college in AZ so I will not be able to make it to the ceremony. But as part of the open mic. invite I would like to tell you my personal favorite memory. Like I said before, we use to play basketball together in Jr high. I wasnt personal very good at it, but AJ would help me in gym or during training he would pep me up during games, he would cheer, he was a great person. I also loved his food!!! ha ha again sorry for your loss"
A band mate - Natalie Noel "Hi Mrs. Johnson. You probably don't know me, but I was in band with AJ. We weren't really close, but I would like to think we were friends. Anyways, he was always so nice! He always went above and beyond. AJ was the first one there and the last to leave every time. He was one of the only kids to always be helping with the truck, loading it and unloading. Every time. He was always holding the door for everybody, putting everybody ahead of him. He had so much personality. He'll always be remembered. I have a 2 year old and I cannot imagine losing him. So my prayers are with you and your family. I'm deeply sorry for your loss. God Bless you ma'am!"
His best friend, Dylan's, post after the funeral "Had the honor of being one of the pall bearers at one of my best friend's funerals today, I'd like to thank Steve Johnson and Melanie Rose Johnson for giving that honor to me and even inviting me. It was rough but we made it through. #red4aj"
His best friend, Austin's, post on facebook after the funeral "Today i was given the honor to walk my best friend to his Final resting place thanks too the Johnson family , i cant begin to tell you how much aj meant to me and how i cant even imagine how his family must feel , today i saw my brother off for the last time ever . You are loved and you will be missed aj , but youll always be in my heart . #red4aj"
Band mate Rachael Hawkins (sharing a pic of her, Tony and his girlfriend at the time Dianna) "This picture was taken at our first high school marching band game. We had the best time ever and we talked about all the fun we were going to have through high school. You stayed a close friend all through high school and I'm so glad I could call you a close friend. You will be greatly missed, AJ"
Also Rachael posted this on facebook "I can't believe this happened. Anthony you were such a wonderful friend to me. Thank you for helping me with my homework when I didn't understand it. Thank you for always making me smile and laugh when I was having a bad day. And thank you for just being a great guy. RIP Anthony Johnson"
Adrian Seigfried from church "Everyone deserves a friend like Anthony Johnson. I will miss you my brother and I will always remember the awesome life you had. You impacted me more than you know and I will always look up to you. Rest easy."
Band Mate Kaylee Snider (sharing pics from the Disney band trip) "These were taken two years ago on the senior part of the spring trip for 2014. Mr. Bowen had two tickets that were only about 5 rows away from the stage at the Blue Man Group and Aj and I played rock, paper, scissors and won them. We sat next to each other in awe of their performance on stage and then even got to take a picture with one of them! Shortly after the concert, we went outside and that's when I snapped a shot of him in front of the Universal globe. I can't believe such a good hearted and great friend of mine is gone. He was definitely too young, and will be missed by all who've met him. I'm so sorry for his family to have to go through this, but I hope they know how many people adored him. We love you Aj, rest in peace."
A friend Christian Moore "Anthony Johnson You were one of the last people to see me off before basic at the shop. And you asked me to come back and tell you about the adventure. Sorry I never got the chance. Rest in peace brother"
Friend, Cheyenne Lindsay "I don't know what to say.. Anthony Johnson was one of the nicest people I've met and so caring to everyone and for this to happen.. I'm lost for words. Rip Anthony you were truly a great friend."
Cousin Tyler Tucker "You were such a good kid. Smartest in our generation of the family. You shared my love for Star Wars and being a geek but you also had a wild side. You were the only one in the family I could relate to with my love for adrenaline and risk taking but now you know just what's on the other side. You were loved and I miss you much already"
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