Memorial service planned for Jeff Johnson

Johnson, 22, was an accomplished musician

  • By: Michelle Te  
  • Published: 11/19/2009 10:28:52 AM
  • Last Updated: 11/19/2009 10:31:17 AM
File photo
Jeff Johnson of Wilsonville was a 2005 graduate of Canby High School who played several instruments. enjoyed skiing and making movies.
Jeff Johnson, 22, was an accomplished musician who loved skiing, making movies and inspiring those around him.

The Canby High School graduate played several instruments, wrote his own music and hoped to become a band teacher one day.

His father, Todd, and brother, Brad, remember Jeff as someone who was very focused.

“He was very individual,” said Brad, 19. “When Jeff was into something, he was really into it.”

But the past few months, this young man’s personality and behavior began to change dramatically. He didn’t get along with his family, moved out, lived in his car, and seemed to have no direction.

His car was found abandoned last week in central Oregon. Just days later, searchers found his body at the bottom of the Crooked River Gorge, 300 feet below the viewpoint in Ogden Wayside State Park.

In hindsight, Todd has tried to piece together his son’s behavior. He now believes that Jeff was suffering from schizophrenia and didn’t know what to do.

“It was scary, frightening,” he said. “We’d hear him talk to the voices, say things under his breath, say horrible things that he would never say.”

A memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, in the Canby High School auditorium, a time to remember Jeff Johnson as so many people knew him.

The Rev. David Stegmeier of Canby Church of God will officiate the service. The Stegmeier family has been close friends of the Johnsons for many years.

Todd said the service will include several musical numbers, talks and an opportunity for those who attend to speak about their friend Jeff.
 
Read more about Jeff Johnson's accomplishments, and struggles, in the next issue of the Wilsonville Spokesman.

Share   |   Email


Comments

We welcome comments from registered users. Comments are solely the responsibility of those who post them; their viewpoints are not endorsed by the Wilsonville Spokesman and WilsonvilleSpokesman.com. (read more)
Highlight
ship name
 
Shoelace from Oregon City
11/20/2009 7:28:51 PM

I'm not quite sure why it's being broadcast that he may have had schizophrenia, when it isn't confirmed. That doesn't seem like a fair light to shine on someone so beautiful, especially in such a tragic situation. Seems a little accusational. Also, I'm wondering why it's a Christian-based service, when Jeff made it pretty clear that he didn't believe in that.
 
sympathetic from Happy Valley
11/24/2009 7:14:42 AM

Shoelace, your comments broadcasted to the general public are insensitive to say the least. You would do better asking the parents these questions directly or better yet, keep them to yourself.
 
Distant Friend from Canby
11/24/2009 1:38:43 PM

I understand where shoelace is coming from. None of us will ever know the afflictions that Jeff was suffering with, only that he was suffering. The article seems to take an abrupt, negative turn, to what starts out to be a wonderful tribute. We are left to mourn and celebrate a life cut short.



 
sympathetic from Happy Valley
11/24/2009 10:04:22 PM

Distant Friend, while I understand your concern that Jeff may have been painted in a negative light, I applaud the family's courageous depiction of the facts. Jeff suffered from a mental illness and it doesn't matter anymore what the name of it was. He's gone and perhaps by speaking candidly of the illness and symptoms Jeff displayed his parents might alert others who find themselves looking at a child they no longer recognize. May he rest in peace.
 
amanda from Newberg
11/25/2009 2:46:42 PM

Readers - Thanks for following this story, we appreciate your comments on the tragedy. We've posted the more complete story, which appeared in Monday's print edition, online here: http://is.gd/53H7s. Feel free to check it out. -- Amanda Newman, online editor