~ In Loving Memory Of
Wayne M. Johnson, Jr.~
February 25, 1983 - July 15, 2001






Wayne's Story



My son Wayne is 18 years old 4 months and 20 days. He had just gotten a job that he had for eight days. His last two weeks he touched so many people. Almost like leading up to his death. I wanted him to be a responsible young adult, and drug free. But in the end no matter what I wanted he had to want it also. He made a decision to be drug free, and he was, he got a job that he really liked and the people liked him. Wayne’s dream was to be an entertainer; he juggled everything from my candles to his flame torches. Our last outing together was to the Seattle Center for a juggling festival
on June 29th, 2001.



He brought all his equipment and his unicycle and rode all over the Center and I packed his equipment! He went to the workshops they had there, and was at his happiest, you could see it on his face. When I asked if it was ok to leave now, he said that he wanted to come here, and to learn something and the bonus was I bought him his flame torches for juggling. I took pictures of him, but they were from a distance, so they did not turn out real well. Earlier in the month he had been to the Ozz festival and had taken pictures there. I took them and dropped them off at Target to be developed for him. On Saturday July 14, 2001 he left the house to go to Target and pick up the pictures, and also purchase a fire extinguisher for his juggling flames. He had his first paycheck for 3 days of work. He was so proud of himself and deserved to be proud.


Wayne came in to tell me was leaving now and I said “ok I love you, be careful” Wayne replied “I love you to” with a kiss to my check. He left with the younger brother of one of his friends in his own van. I watched them leave he stopped at the end of the driveway and turned on his blinker and I smiled as I watched my proud son leave.



Somewhere along the way beer was consumed. He stopped by his friends’ house at 1:30 am on the 15th. Wayne’s’ friend Stan got in his van and for what reason I don’t know, they came back to our house where they (Wayne & Stan) got into the vehicle of the younger boy who had a suspended license, a .08 alcohol level, positive for cannabis, and positive for opiates. He drove two blocks from our home with Wayne and Stan as passengers, he went through a stop sign and was hit by another drunk driver. Wayne and Stan were killed instantly. Why would two 18 years get in a car with someone in that condition. Both drivers survived, the passengers didn’t.



I have come to realize my life will never be the same again
or as I looked at it on July 14th my life was perfect.




Wayne with his sisters,Kim and Julie, his brother-in-law and his nephew, Derek .




Mother, My Mother

Oh mother, my mother, I touch your tears
Invisible fingers, soothing your skin
I know you think of me so often
In the day and in the night.
Going into an empty room
Knowing I am in you heart and in your soul,
I shall always be,
For you gave so unselfishly.
you created such a world for me
A world of laughter, of love, of sadness, of sorrow:
Every emotion people come to know
You shared with me.
And even though I may never Feel your arms around me,
I feel your heart beating. Like a lullaby,
Singing me to sleep
And your spirit giving me a safe haven
Protecting me and nurturing me
Preparing me of things to come.
Sometimes the journey of life pulls souls apart.
And yes, I had to go on to another place.
I wish this were a decision I could have made
And I know you do too.
Know this wherever you are:
I will always remember that yours was the first love,
The first joy, the first soul I ever knew.
you gave me the courage to go on in my journey
I hope I can do the same for you.
Your heart will always call me to you.
Love, Your Child
~Author Unknown




Thank you to my bestest buddy, Rosemary, for beautifully framing this picture of Wayne
for this page!




Love Without End

I saw him dressed to go away,
the eulogy was read;
I knew the somberness of day,
but felt he was not dead.

How could the love that he displayed
be buried in a pall?
Enduring love cannot be laid
away with no recall.

It will arise through tears of pain
as though it never fled,
and I will see blue skies again
and know he is not dead.

There is no end to love, you see,
and when I’m wont to weep,
I’ll wrap myself in memory
and dream my grief to sleep.
Copyright © 1999 Ruth Gillis






Light a Candle

And I will light a candle for you.
To shatter all the darkness and bless the times we knew.
Like a beacon in the night
The flame will burn bright and guide us on our way.
Oh, today I light a candle for you.
The seasons come and go, and I'm weary from the change.
I keep on moving on, you know it's not the same.
And when I'm walking all alone Do you hear me call your name?
Do you hear me sing the songs we used to sing?

And I will light a candle for you.
To shatter all the darkness and bless the times we knew.
Like a beacon in the night
The flame will burn bright and guide us on our way.
Oh, today I light a candle for you.
You filled my life with wonder, touched me with surprise,
Always saw that something special deep within your eyes.
And through the good times and the bad,
We carried on with pride.
I hold onto the love and life we knew.

And I will light a candle for you.
To shatter all the darkness and bless the times we knew.
Like a beacon in the night
The flame will burn bright and guide us on our way.
Oh, today I light a candle for you.










Visit Maria's pages for Christopher at
Maria's Tribute to Christopher
Angel Christopher
My Tribute to a Very Special Boy


Andrew....Our Miracle, Our Angel



"Dear Maria: This award is for ALL your lovely pages for Christopher and others.
Love: Marlene"


Marlene's Pages



A friend can hear a tear drop.



This webpage is created
In Loving Memory of Wayne M. Johnson, Jr.
on January 27, 2002
Last updated: July 13, 2006
© 2000 - 2006




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Painting:
The Painting is ©Mr. Hahlbohm and used with his permission.  If you use 
this set he would enjoying hearing from you.  You may contact him at 
studio@inspired-art.com



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