While it’s been many years since I worked with Johnny or spent time with him, we had stayed in touch over the years. I got updates about his marriage and their difficult time searching for a home right as the Chattanooga real estate market went crazy. 

He’s the first person I ever had a say in hiring, and we worked together as data analysts. He barely needed any training before he was running circles around me. He was so incredibly intelligent and yet humble about it, which made him all the more endearing. 

He was a really sweet and supportive friend, especially when I met my now-wife and was worried about how people would feel about me coming out. He was so happy for us, and we bonded over our love for cats! I remember my wife meeting his dapper tuxedo cat, and they texted each other cat photos.  

Johnny could have never-ending conversations about anything he enjoyed, and that included cats and of course his beloved VWs. I remember admiring when he set his mind to something, he stuck to the plan and followed through, such as saving up for a car with the exact specs he wanted while still in his 20s. He was so excited when Pokémon Go exploded in the US. It was fun to see when he had a new thing where he could inject his joy and unique skills. 

My heart goes out to Hannah, who I never got to meet. Also to Johnny’s parents and brother, who he always spoke so fondly about. He passed way too young. We all know it, and we hate it. I am only grateful for what he did contribute to all of our lives while we had him and the joy we experienced in knowing and loving him.

I remember when Johnny was hired at Delegator, almost 12 years ago. We were a quickly growing startup, and we needed his help more than we ever realized at the time. We sat diagonally to one another, and I would frequently roll my chair across to his desk, and he would patiently explain something more technical to me - ultimately helping it all make sense - and he would teach me along the way, so I would be able to do it the next time. 

Johnny was so incredibly smart and kind. He was funny, and we always enjoyed hearing him laugh and get tickled with something. 

If we ever had a tough client meeting, I knew Johnny would always be calm and be a teammate I could count on, bringing the facts and data to make our case. On more than one occasion, he would sense that I didn’t have the information at the ready, and he would pull it up on his laptop, providing just what was needed at the right moment. He was a great teammate - we all knew he had our backs, and I think (and hope) he knew how much we loved him.

Johnny shared stories about his family, his brother, and years later, we began to hear about Hannah. He valued those relationships and we could tell he loved you all deeply.

He also was genuinely interested in our lives as well. I remember bringing my kids to the office when they were little. He’d always show them his Grumpy Cat stuffed animal on his desk and make them smile.

We will miss him deeply. And we are better for having known him.

This was the day of Ruckers wedding we all went to eat burgers and had a blast making jokes and telling stories.

One of my best collection of memories with Tre is seeing his love for cats on our pet appreciation channel in our PoGO team server. Our community often shares photos, stories, and funny or adorable pet interactions and it always brightened my day to see his posts. I felt that this particular moment Tre shared encapsulates how gentle and loving he was with cats, and it encapsulates the space that he will always fill in my heart. We will all give 'em pets from you Tre!

All of my Love,
Levi

Tre sharing his recollection of how the  cat got there!

I didn’t get the opportunity to work with Johnny a lot, but in the times I did, he always brought a bright and positive take on whatever the situation was. As an intern new to the industry, it was comforting to work with someone who was so talented, yet so humble and kind in their expertise. My prayers and condolences are with Johnny’s family. May he rest in peace.

Hannah!
I am so sorry for your loss.

I will be praying for you and your family in this most trying time of your life.

Donna McDaniel
TVFCU

So sorry for y'alls incredible loss. I just can't imagine. Please know I care and y'all are in my thoughts and prayers

I just found out that I used to take my son Chet, the same exact age, to places to play and trade Pokémon cards such as books a million. So in other words, I most probably saw him there as a little boy. I'm immediately taken back there by memory and can just imagine him there.  Tre was the sweetest man I ever met. And I'm grateful that he was here and led the Pokémon community here. He was a pillar and a leader.  I'm thankful I met him.  Sweet Hannah is in my thoughts. Grey will also miss him I know.

My first impression of Tre was through Pokemon and he was actually part of the reason that I quit the game for a few months when it was still pretty new. I got frustrated with the game because I couldn't catch a dragonite and this "giratinabelcher" guy was hoarding all of my local gyms with unbeatable pokemon with his friends. After a few months I came back to the game, finally managed to take some of those gyms, and got involved with the community, ultimately creating a discord and finally met the man behind those annoying gyms. As it turned out, he was a really great guy!
I'll never forget the first Pokemon Go Fest. In spite of all of the problems, our little group managed to have so much fun in the end. I often think about that night wandering the streets of Chicago with everyone. It was such a fun adventure!
I feel lucky to have gotten to watch Tre and Hannah's relationship grow over the years. I don't think that I've ever known a couple who were better for each other than those two.
I'd been meaning for years to give him the discord admin account but I kept forgetting before I got around to it every time I thought about it. He'd always been the one running the server anyway and I could never manage to be as helpful and dedicated as he was. I can't begin to say how grateful I've always been to him for keeping Pokemon Go alive in Chattanooga. 
It's hard to believe he's gone. Tre was such an amazing person. Hannah and his family will be in my prayers.

It has been nothing less than a privilege to have known Johnny for the nearly 12 years he was a colleague and friend at our company. 

Without a doubt, everyone here would attest that Johnny was one of the most intelligent, humane, dedicated and ultimately kind-spirited people they’ve known. In 12 years, I’ve never seen him be the slightest bit mean to anyone; and, in fact, his general M.O. with all of us was helpful, patient, funny, and, yes, I have to use the word “sweet”, because it genuinely applies. He was sweet to people, and pets (especially cats) — and even plants, which he took care of for himself, and, characteristically, for others. 

Johnny was also amazingly talented at his work, with a keen eye — and an infectious enthusiasm — for the daunting task of how to make data come alive. Johnny was someone basically *everyone* in our office would go to for the questions or analysis no one could figure out. And in return, not only would we get an intelligent answer, but sometimes we’d get a corny joke or meme thrown in, or a uniquely — shall we say — detailed, story, which was a Johnny specialty. 

We all loved him, we all loved having him around, and we will all miss him, very much.

Words could never express the sorrow I feel for you and your family. 
 I send you my deepest condolences and offer you my heartfelt support.  I will be praying peace for you and your family.

OBITUARY

Johnny "Tre" Franklin Ewton III

February 3, 1987 – June 19, 2024

Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist-North Chapel and Hamilton Memorial Gardens

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