Ryan Peter Johnson

In the early morning hours of February 27th, 1964, Ryan Peter Johnson made his first appearance in this world at Meeker County Memorial Hospital in Litchfield, Minnesota. Weighing almost 9#, he was born the largest child of all his brothers and sisters. At the time, Scott, Cheri and Terry were his older brothers and sister. Brent and Hope joined the family later. His grandpa, Harold Johnson finally wore me down to use the name Peter, which had been his father's name. Ryan did NOT like that decision for not one of his 48 years.

Ryan was baptized at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Dassel, Minnesota with Arnold & Lenore Foss as his godparents. They were his great aunt & uncle from Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

On February 11, 1966, just 2 weeks and 2 days before his second birthday, his older sister Cheri drowned at the family farm at Dassel.

1970 was the year he began first grade. He did well enough in grade school but was more interested in the fun he could have while there. He was confirmed at age 13 into the Lutheran faith at the same church where he had been baptized. It was this year he earned a "buzz cut" & given the new nickname Kojak.

2 years of high school were spent at Dassel-Cokato high school. He still was the fun guy! What his friends didn't think of doing, he did!!

1980 was the year that we (myself, Ryan, Brent & Hope) moved to California. Scott & Terry were grown. We left Minnesota in a 1974 Mercury Montego with a U-Haul being pulled behind the car. At one point during the trip, I drove off the wrong exit on the freeway. With no one behind us, Ryan got in the driver's seat & successfully backed us onto the freeway again. Heck, I didn't know how to back a trailer but he sure did!

We settled at Cottonwood, Ca, first & lived with Scott & Norma until I could get us our own home. Ryan continued his high school education for his Junior year at Anderson, Ca. In 1981, we moved to Drytown, Ca. in Amador County. Ryan did his Senior year in high school at Sutter Creek, Ca.

He drove in and won 3rd place in Consolation at the Amador County fair at Plymouth, Ca. in 1981. Not bad for a 17 year old kid, huh? The car he drove was the Mercury that had brought us to California.

After high school, he moved to Sacramento & worked with Scott as a mechanic. During this time, he met Cristine Claybaugh & 3 sons were born to them. Rocky was born February 25, 1985, Jason on November 17, 1986, and Kyle on February 13, 1988.

Ryan met Sandy Weber & her daughter, Misty in 1989. They were married in June, 2001 after which Ryan adopted Misty. Their daughter, Malia was born to them on May 5, 1997.

Ryan was VERY involved with racing go-carts with his kids. He was the pit boss & master mechanic for their Saturdays at the race track. OH! I forgot to mention the deep pockets he had to be able to continue doing this sport.

I could always count on him to fix whatever I needed at my house. Just before he was diagnosed with cancer, he and Gage built new back steps for me. They asked nothing from me except a home cooked meal.

I wake up each morning, thinking I have dreamed all that has happened this past year. Then reality hits me. My head knows this is all true but my heart is resisting the acceptance of death of my vibrant, ambitious, loving & much too young son to leave us.

Until we meet again, Ryan~know that I love & miss you, wishing it had been me instead of you!