Vernon “Sonny” Johnson, age 69, a resident of Rockport, died peacefully embraced in the arms of his family and loved ones on March 28, 2011 at St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham after complications with pneumonia.
He was born on May 25, 1941 in Crossnore, North Carolina, one of 5 children born to Jack and Bernice (Taylor) Johnson, both now deceased. He is survived by three sisters, Evelyn Johnson of Sedro-Woolley, Phyllis Reynolds of Rockport, and Ada Johnson of Pacific Beach; his step-mother, Marjorie Johnson also from Pacific Beach and numerous nieces and nephews.
His dearly missed siblings Pudge Johnson and Carolyn Aldridge preceded him in death.
Sonny married Violet Shanks on November 16, 1963 and together they had 4 children; Shane Johnson and the late Cathy Klingel of Lyman, Corey and Debbie Johnson of Lyman and Jayme and Kevin Adkinson of Birdsview. The family suffered a terrible loss of their first born child Bernice, at just 14 months old.
Sonny worked in the Construction field for many years with various companies and in many positions from laborer, operator and foreman. This kind of work frequently carried him away from home often many weeks at a time. On one of those occasions in 1977, he was involved in a vehicle accident suffering a spinal cord injury that would confine him to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. It was then that his devoted, loving wife Violet became his arms and legs, and total caregiver until his death.
Sonny lived his life through his grandchildren, Christopher Paxton, Ashley and Shae Johnson, Jacqui and Buck Johnson and Aimee and Adam Adkinson. They kept him busy attending cheerleading, wrestling, football, volleyball, and baseball. It was through them that he felt young at heart. He cherished and supported them daily, and embraced every precious moment that he could spend with them.
Sonny’s passion for classic cars is shared by all the Johnson, Aldridge, Taylor and Dellinger families. You could find him at every car show, or scouring a swap meet for hours just to find that special part that someone needed to complete a restoration. He enjoyed being in the garages of just about anyone watching as they shined, detailed, and tinkered.
Cooking shows was how he connected with the girls, he loved to eat. And was quick to share any new recipe that he thought we would be interested in, and something he wanted to try. He enjoyed raising rabbits and chickens and spent many hours watching birds feed.
Sonny was a man that had a smile that would lighten any room, compassion for any cause, and a kind, giving heart. He was a hero to many and touched the lives of everyone who met him. He was a humble man that walked tall in a wheelchair.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday April 2, 2011 at 2:00pm at the Concrete High School gymnasium with Pastor Gill Gunderson from Everson, Washington officiating. Interment will follow at the Forest Park Cemetery in Concrete.
Following the graveside service the family will greet family and friends at a potluck reception in the High School cafeteria. The family suggests memorials in lieu of flowers be sent to the Concrete High School Wrestling program in care of Sonny Johnson.
Services are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
Vi… I am so sorry to hear of Sonny’s passing. I will certainly miss seeing his smiling face and him calling me “kid”. It was such a pleasure working with him and you as well. Please know that I am thinking of you. Blessings to you and your family.
My thoughts and prayers to all of you. So many people had the privilege of meeting this great person. He affected people in a special way. I graduated 21 years ago and live at the oppisite end of the United States now and still felt this news. Im just 1 person. Think of all the other kids and people he touched. Arn’t we all better people for having been blessed! God Bless
As we set in the hospital watching nurses and doctors come and go, some just went about their business. Others would stop and ask “who takes care of him”? We would reply his wife, or if she was in the room we would point to her. They would ask Violet questions like “what do you use on his skin?” or “Oh my gosh you date is his catheter, what a great idea!. His fingers and toes are in such great shape. When they would ask the family how many years had he been a quad? a member of the family would reply 34 years. The reply was always the same “That is unheard of in the medical field”
We are here today, with family and friends celebrating the life of Sonny Johnson, but we all know that Sonny would not have had the quality of life he enjoyed if had not been for his wife Violet. In front of all the family and friends here today I want to thank you for your grace, love, care, unselfishness, and devotion to Sonny. For modeling to each and every one of us why the wedding vows were written.
” To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part”
You have earned your angel wings in heaven, we all love you dearly for sacrificing your life so that Sonny may have one.
On March 28th at 10:45am as my heart was breaking and the tears ran down my cheeks, I realized that I had just lost the second man that I had called Dad.
to sonny,s family we are so sorry to hear of his passing. we loved him dearly and have so many happy memories of this wonderful man. your in our thoughts and prayers with much love annie and jim.
I’m so sorry for the loss of such a wonderful man that meant so much to so many. The spirit of Sonny will always shine in his children and grandchildren, such a beautiful gift to leave. Shane, Corey and Jayme, you were truly blessed to have Violet and Sonny as your parents. I know that you and your children will be a great comfort to your mother in her time of need. I love you all and send support with prayers. Larki
Sonny, till we meet again, I love you my friend!
Violet and family’Yes Sonny will be missed by all who ever met him.I never saw him that he didn’t have a big smile on his face and full of life.Sonny knew how to live and he will be greatly missed.And Violet you are such a very special person and you are in our heart and prayer’s.
I grew up with the Johnson kids in Rockport. Evelyn was in my class so we were friends and I knew Sonny as her friendly and happy brother. I moved away after high school, but my mom kept me updated on the Johnsons. When Sonny had his accident, my mom would write and tell me about his wonderful wife, Violet, who gave him such loving care continually. When I would see Sonny at the Rockport reunions, he would be all smiles when he greeted me. To Violet, Evelyn, and the family I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Maybe you, Violet, and Thelma will be able to encourage and comfort each other in your losses. I’ll be praying for all of you. Love, Judy
How could you not love Sonny? That big smile and positive attitude got you every time. We will miss him at the steelhead park this summer. Him speeding down the hill in his chair was quite a sight. God bless Violet for loving and caring for him all these years. She gave us all a great gift. Knowing him made us all a little richer.
Sonny was an integral part of the upper skagit community and his presence at every gathering was always looked forward to. He was very much a part of the Class of 1960 Concrete High School and his presence at the reunions was very important. He was always smiling and his cheerfulness in the face of adversity made others’ problems seem small, and easier to bear. We will all miss him terribly and the reunions will not be the same without him. God Bless Sonny and also Violet and the kids who were very much a part of Sonny being able to be part of all the local activities and reunions.
Rick and I were so sad to hear of Sonny’s passing. Every time we saw him he always had a smile on his face and a hug for us. He was a true inspiration to all who knew him. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Rick & Tina Allen
On rare occasions, if we are lucky, a truly good soul passes through our lives. Sonny was one of these rare souls. Grace in adversity, love of family, kindness and a zest for living. These are the lessons and legacy Sonny leaves us. We were blessed to have known this man.
Peace and love to Violet and family. Thank you for having shared this lovely man with us, he will be remembered.
To all the Johnson family. I only met Sonny one time, but will always remember him, he was an exceptional man.
You are in my thoughts and prayers .
My sympathy goes out to Sonny’s family. As infrequently that I visited Rockport, I always enjoyed seeing Sonny, namely at the old timers reunion. I remember Sonny well from the days that I use to live in Rockport. I was always impressed by his good nature under the handicap he had to face. My prayers go out to his family.
You will be missed.
Violet and family: Sonny was an awesome man. He was always happy and had a smile on his face. He was fun to be around and always had something funny nice to say. He and Ed go way back to their teenage years. working on cars. [Bet he and Pudge are workin on an old car and laughing right now}
Sonny will be missed at all the sporting events, especially wrestling matches. He was a great freind.. Our prayers and love.. Ed and {Butch] Judy Blanton and family
Sonny may be gone in the physical sense but he will remain in the hearts and memories of so many.. He will never be forgotten. The stories to be told by all of us will live on in our lifetime until we join him in Heaven. The reflection of Violet,Shane, Corey and Jayme is the reflection of him.. We are sad for us but Sonny is dancing the tar heel stomp right now in Heaven!! God Bless Violet, Shane,, Corey and Jayme Always.. Charlie
Violet and family: Sonny will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He was an awesome man, always happy and smiling[. Bet he and Pudge have their heads in a motor of an old car, just fixin and laughing,] We loved to watch him at the wrestling matches. He and Ed went way back to their teenage years. He was the best!! Our love and prayers go with you and all the kids… Love and sadness, Ed and [Butch]Judy Blanton
To all the johnson family. We were so sorry to hear about sonny . He was a person who always had a smile on his face when we would see him up and down the valley, He was a grandparent who was always at all the sports functions he could get too. Violet was always there driving him and looking out for him. What a great testimony of love they had for each other. He has been a great friend, and he will live on in the good memories we have of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you
Sonny was a very special person that is going to be missed by all that knew him.
We never saw him without a smile on his face .We will miss that smile .
Voiet & family ,we are here for you . If there is any way we can help please let us know . You are in our thought and prayers at this time .
Sonny is going to be missed by all, but we have so many great memories and his smile to hold on too. He supported all the athletics that attend Concrete Schools and always had a positive word for them all. All tho he was confined to a wheelchair, he always had a positive attend to all who meet him. The Ashe kids grew up with Sonny and Violets kids, they all have great stories to tell about times they spent at the Johnson’s home or the positive influence he had on their lives.
Violet and family our thoughts and prayers go out to each of you during this time.