Stephen Jay Johnson

Steve Johnson strongly finished the race set before him, dying peacefully on Monday, February 5, 2018 after a remarkable battle with cancer. Born, Stephen Jay Johnson on July 8, 1945 in Salinas, California to Bob and Jean Johnson, Steve was the eldest of seven children in a musical family who were raised in Fremont, Michigan following WWII. Steve graduated from Fremont High School in 1963, attending Marion College before serving his nation in Vietnam in 1967-68. He returned to Michigan to raise his family and serve others in the Grand Rapids area until his death.

Steve received his Bachelors degree from Cornerstone University and a Masters Degree at Grand Valley State University. He was employed by GE/TCI Cable Company as operations manager, at Office Max as store manager and in most recent years, at the corporate offices of Family Christian Stores in marketing. He also served as an adjunct professor at both Cornerstone University and GVSU, and served faithfully in lay ministry at Berkley Hills Community Church.

Steve was preceded in death by his brother Mark, father Bob, father-in-law Warren Tinsey and brother-in-law Duane Tinsey. He is survived by his mother Jean, much-loved wife, Beverly, sons Ben (Jill), Dan (Jackie), grandchildren: Kaili, Olivia, Caleb and Wyatt; 3 brothers: Bob (Bernadine), Greg (Marta), and Doug (LouAnn) Johnson, 2 sisters: Julie (Mark) Brown, Marijo (Gene) Barnes and sister in law Mary VanHouten Johnson; mother in law Grace Hynek, brother-in law Ron (Anna) Tinsey, and sisters in law Shirley (Sonny) Shenk, Connie Stephenson, and Kathy (Bill) Kosal, as well as a great host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and dear friends.

Steve was a remarkable man of God whose spiritual gift it was to value, encourage and mentor people. He loved to sing gospel music with family and friends. He was a man of inexhaustible work ethic, yet, enjoyed reading, motorcycle riding and spending time with Bev, his family and many friends. His testimony for Jesus Christ and the assurance of heaven was clearly evident in his life as he passed from the land of the dying into the land of the living. Steve exemplified the Hebrews 12: 1-3 man.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at the Berkley Hills Community Church in Grand Rapids on February 15, 2018 at 11 a.m. with visitation preceding at 10 a.m. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be given to the Berkley Hills Community Church in Grand Rapids.