"Benny, there are no words to describe what was between us. You\'re in my heart forever. \"They\'re always playing our song, baby.\""
In loving memory of
Benjamin Johnson
Benjamin Adams Johnson, son of Miriam A. Howe of Wilmington NC and Oliver F. Johnson of Pueblo CO, died March 29, 2016, in a vehicular accident in Phoenix. He was 38 years old. A graduate of The College of William and Mary, Benjamin was born in Louisiana and over the course of his life lived and worked in various positions in Maryland, Virginia, Louisiana, Oregon and, for a little over a year, in Arizona. He enjoyed cooking, sailing, skydiving, disc golf and karaoke, not necessarily in that order. He had great wit, imagination, energy and vitality and made an impact on all who met him. He will be missed by his family and many friends.
He is survived by his parents, Miriam A. Howe and husband Dean Stackler, and Oliver F. Johnson and wife Peggy Hicks, as well as Deborah Johnson of Nashville TN. He is also survived by his brother, Daniel Howe of Long Beach CA; his sisters Megan Johnson of Pueblo CO, and Amanda Robichaux and husband Jay, and siblings Cameron and Alec Fearrington of Advance NC. His large extended family includes many aunts and uncles who survive him: Eric Johnson of Salt Lake City UT, Robert and Pat Johnson of Rancho Cucamonga CA, Hope and Grant Urie of Shelburne VT, Barbara and Rich Naple of Saratoga Springs NY, William Howe of Richmond VA, Lani Novak of Ft Washington MD, Frances and William Welker of Glendale CA, Stephen and Carroll Howe of Frederick MD, Laura and Gary Czekaj of Union NJ, Thomas Howe and Lill Becker of Glenn Dale MD and Sarah Howe of Wilmington NC. It also includes many cousins who will miss him at family gatherings: Niki Mariskanish of Denver CO, Jessica Body and her husband Ash of Hereford UK, Paul Mariskanish of Wilmington NC, Christine Mariskanish of Wilmington NC, Emily Howe of Boston MA, Zachary Howe of Frederick MD, Samuel Howe of Frederick MD, Stephen Welker of Derwood MD, Elizabeth Welker of Glendale CA, Thomas Welker of Glendale CA, Hannah Howe of Ft. Washington MD, James Howe of Shirlington VA, Claire Raetsch and her husband Darrin of Newark DE, Katherine Czekaj of Pennsauken NJ, Michael Czekaj and wife Joanna of Milford PA, and Jef Czekaj of Boston MA. Also surviving are his godfather Allan Woodard and wife Sara of Metairie LA, and friends too numerous to mention. Benjamin joins in death his loving grandparents William and Judith Johnson and Thomas L. and Elsie Arnold Howe.
There will be a visitation in Phoenix on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Hansen Mortuary, 8314 N. 7th Street, Phoenix 85020. A memorial service will be held on the east coast later this year.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to The College of William and Mary in Benjamin's memory.
Tributes
"To Oliver, Miriam, Debbie, Peggy, Amanda, Meghan, et al.. Wendel and I are so sorry for your loss - There is nothing worse. I want to put my arms around you all. From reading the comments of those who knew him, it sounds like Benjamin was a chip off the old block...What a loss. Know that we are thinking of you and Benjamin this day and in days to come. We love you very much."
"I will always remember Ben being energetic and full of life. He will be missed by all who knew him. RIP"
"Gone too soon. RIP Ben. Doc"
"RIP Brother..... Gone but never forgotten! <3"
"Really enjoyed our working friendship dude.People missed out on knowing you.RIP"
"Love for you always \"Uncle Benny!\""
"Dear Benny, RIP I\'ll never forget working with you at Wyndham and the good times that we had together. May all the peace in the world accompany you on your next journey. Lots of good thoughts and love xoxoxo"
"I am so sorry for the loss of your son. I\'ll keep you in my prayers and ask for God to cover you with peace, grace and healing."
"Thanks for impacting my life 22 yrs ago! Even though we were apart many years you always found your way back sporadically! Thankful you were able to meet my babies Uncle BJ! May your memory live on from the many adventures you so willingly persued & stories you shared! Gone too soon, but never to be forgotten! I Love You Always!"
"Benny was a dear friend that I made the first week at William & Mary. The first time hanging out w/ him I knew he and I were going to be friends throughout colllege and afterwards. I\'ve never had a friend as vibrant w/ an infectious and contagious love of life. He will be missed dearly. Travel well, my friend."
"Ben only knew you for a short while at Wyndham in Williamsburg. I am truly blessed to have known you. Rest in Peace Ben."
"Forever blue skies my friend"
"Gone too soon. Rest gently, Ben."
"There isn\'t anything that I could say that would be nearly as well written as you deserve. Benny, my friend, you will be missed. Smart, funny, charismatic, a good friend, handsome, the list goes on. I\'ll miss the late night calls and conversations. This is the list you gave me to \"kick off\" our \"getting to know each other outside of our group of friends\" phase: 1)abortion 2)assisted suicide 3)gay marriage 4)capital punishment 5)the \"war\" on drugs 6)\"religion\" vs. \"spirituality\" 7)Life 8)The Universe 9)Everything 10) etc etc etc No small expectations, ever. Always challenging. I\'d expect nothing less. Only you Benny. Love you."
"I will find a way to honor you for generations to come my friend."
"To me, you will forever be a bright light that so many were drawn to because your heart was genuine and kind. You\'re the kindred soul that inspired others to better themselves. I will always smile at the memories of the times shared. Your friendship meant a lot to me and I truly wish I held that closer over these last years. I am really glad you touched so many lives in a positive way, you made an impression on this earth that won\'t be forgotten."