Wow!  On a whim I just googled Jeff's name.   Boy what a surprise.   I worked for him for a short while with John Cubeta DC.

John H Riggs III DC, FACO

Something brought me back here today, some seven years after learning of Jeff's passing. We were roommates at Palmer, and had a lot of good times and laughs together. I can still hear his laugh and voice in my head. He was special to a lot of people, and taken from us too soon. I can never say goodbye to him because a part of him will always be with me.     


7 1/2 years after you left this earth and I still think of you everyday.  The overwhelming deep sadness has subsided and been replaced with memories of you - my healthy, sweet, strong, funny, kind big brother. 
I can smile again when I think of you and I am forever grateful. 
Always,
Jannie xo

I miss my brother-in-law, Jeff. The fun memories & laughs that we shared will always remain in my heart.

As time goes by it is always good and reflective to think about some special times with Jeff.  I have that situation many times as I enjoy Breakfast at Haute Cakes Cafe in Newport Beach which is next to Oakwood apt that I shared with Jeff while at OCC - SOME MANY SPECIAL Memories
THANK GOD I HAD JEFF IN MY LIFE - UNTIL WE SEE EACH OTHER AT HEAVEN's GATE- ENTERNAL PEACE

I had this strange feeling to look up Jeff this morning and I am shocked to see this. I was a friend of Jeff's at Palmer College and we lost touch after school. My condolences to his family on their loss and I'll say a prayer for him and his family today.

Wow my name is Denisa I worked for him as a med asst in irvine I am so shocked I needed to put him down for a reference and google his office and saw this I am so sorry to the family he was a great man I learned so much from him and robin wow I am shocked his smile is what I will always miss he would light up the room I am so hurt RIP Dr J u will be missed and to the family Bless you all

I was in shock to find out today about Dr Jeffrey Johnson's passing, I had been looking for him for the last 2 years and I couldn't explain why He couldn't be found. For some time He was my Chiropractor and a great friend of the healing arts, his dynamic approach to wholistic was phenomenal, He had "Celestial hands" and great medical intuition. I have such fun memories of  our visits and all that spiritual healing that took place, his work was so inspiring, May God bless his loved ones!

I just found out about Jeff's passing, and I am heartbroken. Jeff and I were roommates at Palmer, and grew to know each other very well, with lots of good times between us. He was everything that everyone here has expressed and then some. We lost touch over the years, but I like to think our friendship transcended time and space. We had the best times running around in  his MG, going to courses together, practicing our chiropractic skills, and  lots of laughs along the way. I can still hear his voice, his laugh, and see his smile. He was devoted to Cheryl from the very beginning. I used to help him get around after he dislocated his hip, and I got to drive the MG while he was on crutches. Lots of scattered memories that suddenly became crystal clear on hearing of his passing. J.J., I will miss you, and remember you always.   Bruce Weary DC

To my friend- Jeff, it has been several months without you.  I can say I think of you often and laugh as I mull over thoughts and memories we shared. I had lunch with my son not to long ago and when I went to the parking lot there was the Newport Oakwood apt's we shared so many memories as room-mates during our Orange Coast days. Miss you yet understand we will see each other again. Living with purpose- Medina

Dear Jeff,

I'm so lucky to have had you in my life.  You always made me feel so special, your respect, caring, kindness and thoughtfulness for me was amazing.  You are my rock and always will be.  We had a very special bond Jeff; we had the same sense of humor and we had a great time laughing and teasing each other.  I'll miss your phone calls; I'll miss that knock on the door and there you stood with a big beautiful tree with all the trimmings.  You helped me decorate it and then you say, "Mom, let's sing Christmas songs."  Of course, the tradition was you would take me to Gulliver's for a wonderful prime rib dinner for the Christmas Season.  I have such beautiful memories because of you, Jeff.  Thank you for being you and thank God for sending you to me.  Also, you were a wonderful Doctor, you had healing hands.  I can't say goodbye Jeff, all I can say is til we meet again.

All my love,
Mom

I WAS SAD TO LEARN OF "JJ"'S PASSING.  WE HAD ALOT OF GOOD TIMES WHILE AT PALMER COLLEGE, ESPECIALLY IN RADIOLOGY CLASSES.  MAY GOD REST HIS SOUL AND COMFORT HIS FAMILY.

WILLIAM B. KRAFT, DC
COLUMBIA, PA

Jeff was my best friend when we were at Palmer College of Chiropractic together. My favorite memory was the first day i met him. We were all sitting in orientation at Palmer with over a hundred people and the professor running the orientation was ending off the orientation and asked "i just want to make sure that everyone has a place to live so please raise your hand if you don't have a place to live yet." Only Jeff raised his hand and said yep i don't have a place to live yet and i have been living in my MG (his car) with a toothbrush in my back pocket." I cracked up and said i have to meet this guy and we were great friends ever since. He will be missed and never forgotten. Palmer was tough at times and Jeff always made it easier with his humor!  My condolences to the family. Dr David Jantz Mt Clemens, Michigan

Jeff was a dear friend, so charasmatic, always thinking of others, and making everyone laugh.  There is no one in the world like him.  He can never be replaced. You are now our angel.

Few people change your life forever, in an instant...Jeff did.  Few people have healing hands that seem to work miracles...Jeff did.  Few people make you laugh until it hurts...Jeff did.  Few people light up a room when they smile...Jeff did.  A life not forgotten.  A blessing to have been a part of.

Jeff,                                            Our memory of you is dancing with your sisters at sandee and jamies christmas party.You were so brave,smiling [as you always were],and doing therpy on Ashley`s neck at Donna and brad`s.You were a great story teller and so much fun.We will miss you.

You had God's healing in your hands and were the BEST Chiropractor in the world. You will be truly missed, Dr. J. Rest in Peace.

My Dearest Sweet Jeffrey,

I am truly heartbroken...

You were such a sweet, loving, caring considerate and so much fun Brother!  You always made me laugh; so funny with your "comebacks", faces and goofiness.  I will miss hearing all your funny words, i.e. "Magillicutty" and your nickname for me, "Tumbleweeds".  You lit up the room when you walked in; always the "life of the party".  You had a special knack for making anyone you met feel "special".  A man is known by the company he keeps, and your friends, like Richard and Kevin, etc., (too many to list here) are wonderful, warm and caring, just like you!  Rich said he loved you like a Brother, which says it all...  You were an excellent Doctor that truly cared about your patients.  That's why you are loved by so many people.  Everything you did was natural and genuine.  I am proud to call you my Brother! 

I especially admired your love and devotion to Mom.  You were the best Son ever!  You loved her so much and it always showed; never afraid to call Mom, even with your friends around.  You did so many special things for and with Mom, too many to list now, but believe me that Mom cherished your time together and everything you did for her.  Your special bond with Mom will never be broken.

You handled your pain and fear the last year with such dignity and grace, still so sweet and grateful to everyone.  You never complained, nor wanted to make anyone feel uncomfortable around you.  I am so sorry that you had to endure so much pain and suffering.  You didn't deserve it.  You were never a "quitter" and I truly admired that trait in you Jeffrey, and as you know, I never gave up on you, always praying positive...

I feel so empty now, but now you are no longer in pain and in a better place.  I welcome a "sign" from you and will talk to you everyday.  The bond we shared will continue on forever.

Please look for me when I get there...

I love you so much Jeffrey,

Donna Lee

P.S. The "Club" misses you...

I wrote a brief message before, but it really didn't seem like enough. Jeff was my brother-in-law for 25 years, but really he was more like an older brother. We had so many memories, weddings (he walked me down the aisle, in place of my deceased father), births (Ashley, Justin & my daughter, Amanda), holidays, birthdays, laughter (lots of it),good times & a few not so great. The last few years of his life, we lost contact because of unfortunate circumstances (divorce), but I never stopped loving him & will always treasure my memories of the good & fun times we shared. May you rest in peace Jeff, you will truly be missed by so many. Love, Lisa

Jeff's eulogy from his funeral:

I am honored today to share some memories of Jeff on behalf of the Johnson family.  I am Mark Breitfuss and I had the good fortune to marry Jeff’s sister, Jan Marie, which brought not only my dear wife into my life but opened the door to know a man whom I quickly came to love and respect.  

All of us in this room must consider ourselves lucky.  All of us are here because we got to know and love one of the truly nicest men you will ever meet.   Jeff had many great attributes but I believe one of his most notable was his interest in giving to others, or better said, his love for others.  Jeff was a man who didn’t speak much about the Golden Rule but professed it in nearly every action of his daily life.  

If you close your eyes and think about Jeff there probably isn’t an image among any of us who doesn’t see a man with a never-ending smile on his face –just one of the many gifts Jeff so generously gave to us. 

Jeff was a man who always looked you straight in the eyes when you spoke – and listened with his heart as much as he did with his head. You never felt small around Jeff because he made you feel important.  Always engaged, always a gentleman.  

I asked each of the family members if I could share a fond memory of theirs about Jeff.  These memories highlight the many attributes that we came to know Jeff by:

•Jeff was charming:  Mary Ann remembers how her son loved absolutely everything she ever put in front of him.  She says, and I quote, “I could have fed him dog food and he would say – “Mom, this may be the best meal I have every had.”  And he meant it.  One time she gave him a piece of grapefruit for breakfast and put a cherry in the middle of the grapefruit.  Jeff was awestruck by what he saw and couldn’t stop talking about this a monumental effort his mother did for his breakfast.

•Jeff was territorial, like most men:  Jan remembers Jeff as a youth during breakfast.  Many of us when we were young enjoyed eating our cereal while reading the back of the cereal box.  I don’t remember what was so interesting and how we could read the same box every morning but many of us did.  Well Mother Johnson would bring out the cold cereal for the family in the mornings and Jeff would take all of the boxes of Corn Flakes, Fruit Loops, Captain Crunch and Raisin Bran and place them around his place at the table to create a barricade where no sibling dare crossed.  Everyone else would have to settler for grapefruit with a cherry.
 
•Jeff could improvise:  Sandee and Jeff were at the Rueben E Lee for brunch one day and there was not a single wait staff at the buffet to help serve.  Jeff decided to take the lead and slice this enormous leg of ham for him and his sister.  Jeff was a bit rusty with his carving skills and apparently as he went to cut the ham it rolled off the buffet table, onto the floor and toward the edge of the boat.  Jeff, thinking quickly, raced after his and Sandee’s breakfast and grabbed it just before it went over the side of the great ship.  Being so ever discreet, he picked up the ham, and put it back on the buffet table before anyone was the wiser.  He and Sandee changed to scrambled eggs for their dining experience.
   
•Jeff was obedient – but only to his mom: Donna Lee remembers when Jeff and his mom where having breakfast on her balcony one beautiful morning and Mary Ann suddenly asked Jeff he would mind going down stairs to the neighbors below to get something of hers.  Without hesitation Jeff, being the obedient son, flew down the stairs only to find out that he was retrieving Mary Ann’s false teeth that had fallen over the balcony railing while they were eating.
  
•Judo Skills:  Scott remembers going to communion when Jeff was an alter boy and when it came time to receive the host Jeff would take the “host catcher” and chopp it into Scott’s throat.

It is easy to understand why Jeff might chop Scott in the throat – he was simply acting out behavior created by his older sister Debbie who was considered ‘his biggest nightmare’ when he was a child.  Debbie would often put Jeff in leg or headlocks until his face or feet turned blue and he surrendered.
  
•Jeff was a good sport:  Jeff’s own daughter Ashely admits that when Jeff would fall off into his twilight sleep she would often take her cold feet and press them on his warm stomach and wake him from a sound sleep.  Never angry.  Always with a smile.

•And finally, when I asked Jeff’s son Justin about fond memories of his father he simply responded – “there are too many”.

Jeff was truly full of life.  And he showed this until his final days.  Jeff fought to the bitter end.  Why not?  He lived his life with a powerfully positive attitude and why would he let anything change that?  He didn’t.  

Jeff devoted a great deal of his life to helping and healing others and with his passing we pray that he looks down upon us and continues to use these skills to help us heal again, over his loss.  

Not part of his eulogy but something I must add after witnessing his family and friends speak of him at his funeral: Jeff clearly died at a young age but lived a completely full life - a life about others and a life full of friends.  May we all be so lucky.

Uncle Jeff is my uncle who I have always looked up to as far as i can remember. Growing up, always funny,very caring and loving man. always thought of others before himself. As i grew up as well I became very fond of his chiropractic adjustments. every chance i could... always got an adjustment as much as i could. within the last two years i have decided to become a chiropractor as well. and whenever i open my practice I will dedicate it to the memory of my uncle. I will miss you terribly Uncle Jeff. Love Always,

To Jeff's family, May the peace of the Lord fill your hurting hearts and bless you all. Jeff,  Rest in Peace. Your classmate, Marian Casey

I remember Jeff in a couple of classes we shared at Mater Dei. What I remember most about him is his ability to laugh and entertain his classmates whenever possible. I am so sorry for your loss. May the memory of his warm smile and caring ways surround you and comfort you. Safe journey, Jeff.

I am so sorry to hear about Jeff.  He always seemed like a kind and outgoing person.  I was a class mate of his and graduated in his class of '73 from Mater Dei.  My most sincere condolences to the whole family.  Donald {Steve} Meza.

May you rest in peace Jeff.  Your MD classmate.  Debbie Naut

I'm so sorry to hear about Jeff. One of the fondest friendships I've had is with Jeff.... throughout 6-8 grades and  Mater Dei....great memories with Jeff and Jan..carpooling, lots of laughing, classes, dances....etc. Jeff was always so positive, caring and funny. I ran into him a while back and it was wonderful to hear about his kids and Chiro practice..always such a happy and warm person. He will be missed by many and remembered in the hearts of the many people he touched. The prayers of all the Brady family are with you all and our heartfelt thoughts and love.

My brother and I went to school with Jeff when he went to Mater Dei. Jeff was always kind and very good natured.  Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Mike and Colleen Bell

Jeffrey your life has been an inspiration to us all. My prayers are with your family.

We will miss you Jeff & will always love you. Our thoughts & prayers to your family. Love, Lisa, Steve & Amanda Kovacs

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Jeff was a classmate in high school. His smile was contagious.

I was a friend of Jeff's during our time at Mater Dei.  He was a nice, good hearted, friend and will be missed by all who knew him.

Jeff and I shared a few classes at our Mater Dei High School, and I do have fond memories of his comical ability to make people around him laugh and feel comfortable, which we all needed back then trying to fit in with all of our peers.  With myself having a rare cancer condition, and all the other cancer patients going through these debilitating and ruthless cancers, all we can do is fight the good fight the best we can, and pray. Prayer is the most powerful thing.  I could only imagine the heartbreak that his family and friends are going through at this very difficult time. You are with our heavenly father now Jeff, and at peace.

OBITUARY

Dr. Jeffrey Robert Johnson

August 9, 1955 – May 4, 2010

Westminster Memorial Park and Mortuary

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services