"Remembering Curt Johnson: On Monday evening, August 20, there will be a casual get together of those who knew Curt, coming together to celebrate the wonderful person Curtis was. The event will be in the Landmark Hotel Sky Room at 7:00 pm. All are welcome. Any inquiries can be sent to Bart Hanson at BartHanson82@gmail.com."
In loving memory of
CURTIS DAVID JOHNSON
March 7, 1959 -
Curtis David Johnson of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on December 31, 2011 at the age of 52.
Curtis is the son of George G. Johnson (deceased) of Big Bay, MI, and Carmen A. Johnson of Marquette, MI, and he is also survived by his two children, Lauren and Blake Johnson of Scottsdale, AZ; his brother, Roger Johnson of Marquette, MI, and his three sisters, Elizabeth Sonderegger of Marquette, MI, Susan McCabe of Traverse City, MI, and Renee Re of San Antonio, TX. Curtis has several nieces and nephews also.
On January 6, 2012, funeral services were held at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church in Carefree, Arizona. A graveside service will be held in Marquette at a later time.
On March 7, 1959, the world was blessed by the birth of Curtis, in Marquette, MI. He was involved in numerous sports as a child and he was also known as a very talented athlete while at Marquette Senior High School, lettering in Football, Basketball, and Track. He graduated from MSHS in 1978. Curtis attended Northern Michigan University and in 1991, he graduated from Northern Hennepin Community College in Minnesota with an Associate in Arts Degree.
He was a licensed residential and commercial contractor in the state of AZ, where he owned a successful business, Showplace Interiors and Pinnacle Interiors Group for 25 years. In 2002, Curtis completed the Stephen Ministry program at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church in Carefree, AZ, where he counseled and prayerfully helped others.
One of Curtis' passions was to coach youth sports, where he made an impact on several young athletes' lives. He coached his children's soccer, football, and basketball teams, and he most recently coached the Freshmen Boys basketball team at Pinnacle High School in Phoenix.
Curtis will be remembered as a loving father, son, brother, and friend to all who had the privilege of knowing him. He was an avid football fan of the Green Bay Packers, the Arizona Cardinals and the University of Michigan. Hunting, fishing, enjoying the outdoors, and cooking were amongst Curtis' favorite hobbies. He also took great joy and pleasure whenever he had the chance to visit Marquette and enjoy its beauty with his family and friends.
All who loved and knew Curtis will greatly miss him. He was a loving, kind, and generous man who always put the needs of others first, and who always made people feel at ease. We love you Curt, and we will miss your contagious sense of humor and your inviting and unforgettable smile.
"Don't grieve for me for now I'm free.
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard him call.
I could not stay another day.
To laugh, to work or play.
Task left undone must stay that way.
If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I've savored much.
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and share with me.
God wanted me now; he set me free."
Author Unknown
Memories may be shared at www.canalefuneral.com
Tributes
"Dear Liz and family, I was so saddened to hear of your brothers passing. My prayers are with you all during such a difficult time."
"Dear Carmen, Liz, Roger, Sue, Renee and family, I was deeply saddend to hear of Curt's passing. I'll always remember his laugh from our high school years especially on our dates watching Saturday Night Live. I was fortunate to see him a few years ago here in Marquette and caught up on each others lives. We spoke of our kids and how great parenting was especially the sports aspect. He made a point to talk with both Jon and I and we so enjoyed our conversations. Your tribute to him was very moving. May you find comfort and peace with your memories of him and know that you all have my deepest of sympathies."
"Dear Liz, Roger, and other loved ones of Curt: We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Curt. Please know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers during your time of sadness. Do call on us if we can be of any help. Your friends, Desi, Linda, Adam & Grace DesJardins"
"Dear Johnson Family: My prayers are with you at this difficult time. I will always remember Curt as a friendly, respectful person - and very talented. We are again reminded of how precious our time here together is. God Bless."
"Roger and the entire Johnson family, I was sorry to hear of the passing of your brother, Curt. Although I did not know him, I do know how very difficult it is to lose someone you love. Please know you and your family are in the thoughts and prayers of many. Keep all the wonderful memories you have close to your heart, as they will bring you comfort. God Bless. Ann"
"Roger and family, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers."
"Roger and Family, So sorry to hear of Curts passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Joe"
"To the Johnson Family, I was shocked and saddened to hear of Curts passing. He was a great guy, someone I grew up with playing baseball. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."
"I just heard about Curt's passing and I am so sorry. We graduated from high school together and had so many good times. I really looked up to him. I last saw him a year ago when he visited Marquette. He will be missed."
"I have spent time reminiscing about Curtis,his life,and how he has impacted my life. In my sadness i find joy as I reflect on our time together, his smile, his laugh. I can't help but smile as i look back. My heart believes he was the same as an adult. He was a great friend to many. For now I must place my sadness in the hands of my Lord,and Savior. It is in Him that i can find peace and comfort. My prayers will continue for The Johnson family all whom he left behind. Ps.46:1"
"Dear Carmen, Liz, Roger and Johnson Family, Thinking of you at this difficult time. May you find peace in your many memories of Curt. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Anne & Tony Erspamer"
"Dear Carmen and family, I was very saddened to hear about Curt. I remember his last visit to Marquette. He had such a loving , caring personality. I could tell how close the two of you were. I know the pain of losing a son and I want you to know that I am here, if you need me. God bless you and your family. Love, Nancy"
"Curt - You will be so missed by the Shank Brothers, their families and all who knew you. I hope you, Pete and Toby get in lots of good hunting in the great fields of Paradise. My sympathy and prayers go out to your family. Holly"
"Curt was a dear friend of my brother Pete who passed 10 years ago. I am deeply saddened this world has lost such a warm, funny and exceptional person. Please know on behalf of the Greer family our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Cathy Greer Cole and family"
"Dear Blake and Lauren and the Johnson family, Curt was a kind, generous, funny, honest, open, caring man. He was a tremendous athlete, a gifted general contractor, a Packer's fan, a Cardinal's fan. He had a passion for cooking but more importantly was he love to share what he made with those he loved. He loved coaching everything from Lauren's girl's basketball, to Blake's flag football, basketball and soccer, to the high school basketball team. He loved his family. Above all else, he dearly loved his 2 children, Blake and Lauren. May Curt rest in peace and grace."
"My thoughts are with the entire family. I had many wonderful memories of Curt from high school football. He will be missed."
"My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. He will be sadly missed."
"To the Johnson Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely, Paul Drake"
"To the entire Johnson family. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. I have good memories of playing basketball and hunting with Curt. He was a good friend and will be missed. Take care. Dave A. Balbierz"
"To the Johnson Family - Our deepest sympathy. Curt is remembered as an extremely gifted athlete and a great basketball player. We admired his thoughtfulness and kindness to others. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May your memories together carry you at this time. The St. Cyr Family - Mark & Sherry, Eve & Wally, Carolyn & Pete and Susan & Vince"
"Heidi, Lauren, and Blake, We are very saddened to hear about Curtis. Know that all of your friends at PVCP are praying for you and are here to support you anyway we can. We love you all."
"Dear Blake, Lauren, and the entire Johnson Family: Kirsten, Grace, Peter, and I are so deeply saddened to hear of Curtis's passing. He was a loyal, kind, generous, and funny friend, father, brother, and son. His friendship has been an enduring presence in my life, and I will be forever better for having known him. We will all miss him so much. With Deepest Sympathy, Bart Hanson and Family"