Whenever I would start making speeches around the house, dad would say, "time to get out my hammer and nails and build a soapbox". So in his honor I will spare you and keep this brief.
One of the things I remember about Dad from my childhood is something that ws true of him his entire life. He was a kind person who often went out of his way to help others. Very often he was the peace-keeper of our neighborhood, which was needed on a fairly regular basis. He was one of the kindest people I ever met and instilled some of that in my own character. Those who mistake kindness for weakness could never say that of Stanley Johnson. He was a man with a heart so strong that not even two serious heart attacks could take him down.
In me, he imparted the truism that "nice guys don't finish last, we just want to be sure no one gets left behind". There isn't enough time today to tell you of all the times I was grateful Dad was there for me, and I know that is true for many others. Over the years I saw him help more people than I can count.
I also had the opportunity to work with him at the IRS and was immediately struck by how much everyone there truely enjoyed working with him, enjoying his marvelous sense of humor and paying him the highest respect. It made me feel very special, not only because I was happy for him, but also because of how I was treated. As Stanley's son, I was instantly accepted and made to feel completely welcome, as if I had just joined a whole new family. After I worked there for a few months, Dad had another heart attack, and the amount of concern and well wishes that were expressed for him by everyone showed me how truly appreciated and cared for he was.
I consider myself very lucky and fortunate to have had the chance to witness that he was the same kind-hearted man at work that he was at home. To have inherited just a little of that is one more thing for me to be eternally grateful to him for.
Thank you Dad, I love you!

03/03/2009

Author's Note: This is the Eulogy I read at my Dad's funeral, March 4th, 2009. He was 77 years in this world. There is a coresponding entry in my journal on 3/5/2009. JJ

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Posted on 03/05/2009
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