Brian Johnson

April 5, 1962 - April 5, 2009

CRYSTAL FALLS - Brian D. Johnson, 47, of Crystal Falls, completed his journey to eternal rest with the Lord on Sunday, April 5, 2009, at his home. He was born on July 12, 1961, in Marquette, the son of Mary (Frazier) and the late Douglas Johnson. He attended the Marquette Schools graduating from Marquette Senior High School in 1979. He worked for several years as a journeyman roofer through Local 247, and then he went on to complete an apprenticeship with the Sheet Metal Workers International Association. He was currently employed with SMWIA Local 7 as a journeyman sheet metal worker, which led him to many destinations over the past several years. On June 11, 1988, he married Kathy Beauchamp at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette, where the couple began raising their family. Brian was a lifelong resident of Marquette until he and his family moved to Crystal Falls in August 2003. He was a member of Guardian Angels Catholic Church. He loved to fish, ice fish and hunt, always looking for the ultimate buck. These activities took on an even greater special meaning when he was able to share them with his boys. He loved to bowl and had been a member of the U.P. Balance Team for the Sunday Night Men's League until this past year, when he requested to be an alternate so he could accommodate his sons' sports schedules. Being the awesome dad that he was, he volunteered his coaching services for many of his sons activities, including hockey, soccer, indoor soccer, 3-on-3 basketball tournaments and Pop Warner football. Even though Brian was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and Detroit Red Wings fan, he often said that no game was greater to watch than one that his sons played. Brian is survived by his loving wife, Kathy, of Crystal Falls; his sons whom he treasured, Daniel, Jeffrey and Jeremy Johnson, all at home; his mother, Mary Johnson of Marquette; a brother, Leonard Johnson of Traverse City; two sisters, Christine (Brian) Davis of Traverse City, and Debra (Ted) Sharkey of Marquette; his mother-in-law, Mary Beauchamp of Crystal Falls; a brother-in-law, John Kelley of Gwinn; a sister-in-law, Mary Sue Kelley of Marquette; five nieces, Amy and Patricia Davis of Traverse City, Crystal (Nathan) Curry of Trenary, Meagan Johnson of Traverse City and Jenni Kelley of Marquette; four nephews, Patrick Sharkey of Marquette, Jeffrey (Amanda) Kelley of Gwinn, James Kelley Jr. of Cincinnati, Ohio and Michael Kelley of Colorado; and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. Brian is now in the company of his father, Douglas; sister, Patricia; his father-in-law, Donald Beauchamp; and his brothers-in-law, James, Joseph and Jeffrey Kelley, all of whom preceded him in death. Visitation will be Monday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Central time) at the Nash Funeral Home in Crystal Falls, where Fr. Daniel Moll will perform a vigil service at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. (Central time) at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, where Fr. Daniel Zaloga will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Pallbearers will be Rick Luft, Dean Aberly, Bryan McGregor, Paul Dumoulin, Andy Kachmarsky and Leonard Johnson. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Crystal Falls. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Brian's memory. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Brian Johnson online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com His family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home of Crystal Falls with the arrangements.