Richard A. Johnson

Richard "Rick" Allen Johnson, 65, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away on Sunday, September 9, 2012, in Seattle, WA. Rick was born to Arthur "Art" and Barbara "Bobbie" Johnson in Plainfield, NJ, on January 11, 1947. The family moved across the United States with his father's work, and settled in Lynnwood, WA in 1962, where he eventually graduated from Meadowdale High School. He graduated from the University of Washington, with a BA in Business, with emphasis in Marketing.

He began attending University Presbyterian Church in Seattle during college, where he met Sandy, his wife and great love of 40 years, and many other life time friends. In addition to raising three children, Rick and Sandy began The Part Works together in the garage of the home they built together; this was also a great joy to him. Through The Part Works, Rick established himself as a well-known, respected, and even beloved leader in the plumbing industry for his expertise, understanding of the industry, and his honesty and integrity. He had many friends in the industry, both as customers, vendors, and fellow parts house owners and managers.

Out of an abundance of love for his broad church family and the many intergenerational friends he made there, Rick gave generously of his time, finances, and heart. He taught kindergarten children for 6 years when his children were of age. He was an elder in the church and led communion services on Sunday mornings for about 25 years. He particularly loved greeting the elders each Communion Sunday and he cherished his time greeting and being in conversation with his many friends each Sunday over the years.

Perhaps most of all, he loved his children and his grandchildren dearly. Each one brought their own special joy to him.

Rick also loved gatherings with friends and extended family. He felt especially loved by, and a special love for, Sandy's large family. He also enjoyed considerable travel with Sandy locally, throughout the United States, and even to Scotland. Much of the travel began with business but was extended for vacation. On a particular occasion, he used a trip to NJ as a chance to reconnect with parts of the family he hadn't connected with in years. This connection helped restore a family divided by the disagreements of previous generations and brought healing to those involved. As a result, he grew to love that part of his family more and more.

Rick was not afraid to stand up for what he believed, nor to stand up for what he saw as fair and just. He took pride in caring for his family and for his many employees. He was deeply loved in the various circles of his life for his caring giving manner, his loyalty, his honesty his passion and pleasure in being around people.

Rick had his thyroid removed in 2008 when it was found to be cancerous. Over the preceding 6 months, he fought to have his hormone levels re-balanced. In the last months of his life he slid deeper and deeper into depression and withdrew from all of the people that he loved, from his family, and from work. He lost his perspective and then he lost his passion, and then he lost hope. He lost his way and he lost his ability to continue to fight for his life. We could not help him nor find someone who could help him find his way out of this major chemical imbalance, and in the end his search for peace led him to the Gates of Heaven, and the arms of Christ. The Rick who took his own life on Sunday was very sick, both his body and his mind had betrayed him, we had lost him gradually over the last several months as the chemical imbalance in his body and in his brain spiraled out of control.

The Rick we urge you all to remember is not the Rick defined by his last moment with us. The Rick we will remember was the man filled with laughter, always ready with a hug, the man with the quick wit, laser sharp tongue, demanding mind, generous spirit and overflowing personality; the man with the unquenchable sense of justice, balanced by an audacious sense of grace. Above all Rick was a man who furiously loved the people in his community. He had a special place in his heart for broken people and a passion to help them fix themselves. His life was abundant and blessed and he is now peacefully in his Father's arms.

Rick is survived by his wife, Sandy Johnson of Seattle, WA; a daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Shalam Das of West Seattle, WA and grandchildren Kaylee, Alexa, and Jacob Das; a daughter and son-in-law, Katie and Tyler Parris of Bellevue, WA and grandchildren Rylan and Graeme Parris; a son and daughter-in-law Tim and Michelle Johnson of Glendora, CA and grandson Andrew Johnson; and his brother Glenn Johnson and partner Mike Melancon of Seattle, WA.