Dear Terri,

I was deeply saddened to read about the passing of my cousin, Leighton.  I don't know what compelled me to Google him, but I was shocked to read that he had died last year.  Although I have not seen you two since I was a kid--probably in early high school in the early 1980s-- I have thought about Leighton over the years. Though we weren't close in age, he was one of my favorite cousins, and I have many fond memories of him from my childhood.  I shared with him a love of academics and of baseball; I even taught for awhile.
 
I am so sorry for your loss.

   Teri,
   I'm so very sorry to hear about Leighton's passing away and my wife, Alene and I send you our condolences and the very best. 
   I'm sorry that I was unable to attend his funeral/memorial: my wife fell on our front driveway on August 25 and I was with her at Providence St. Vincent hospital; after rehab at Maryille Nursing Home, she just returned home on September 13 and is still on rehab, with her walker.
   I have fond memories of Leighton and was proud to be able to teach math with him at Sunset High. I know how  dedicated he was to his students and how much he cared about them and wanted them to succeed. I will miss him, as will many.

Teri, I wll miss Leighton. He always had something interesting to say and I will miss the Dinners we were planning. You and your Family will always be in my thoughts and prayers and I am here if you need anything.
Love your neighbor Karen and Sons.

For some reason, today I felt compelled to Google my favorite teacher (teaching my least favorite subject) back in high school to see if he was still teaching and if not, what he was up to. 

I am very saddened and heart broken to see that Mr. Johnson has passed. If I may, I would like to share a story about him.

It was my sophomore year at Sunset and I was not doing so well in school. I was in Mr. Johnson's Integrated Math 2 class and by the end of the year, my grade was a very disappointing D. It was of my own doing, as I was not very motivated and didn't put forth much effort. Mr. Johnson pulled me aside and had a talk with me. He told me that he believed in me and that he knew that I wasn't living up to my potential. When he was saying his piece, it just sounded like the same old rhetoric any teacher might say to an underachieving student, but then I saw the look in his eyes when he was talking to me. He was being sincere and I could tell that he actually cared. So he made a deal with me: I retake his class the following year and he would offer me any after hours help or tutoring if I felt I needed it. I agreed.

The following year, I made a promise to myself that I would do my best not only in Mr. Johnson's class, but all my classes. I was tired of being mediocre. 

Fast forward to the end of my junior year after the last day of finals and I was at home around dinner time. The phone rings and I pick it up, fully expecting it to be a telemarketer doing some soliciting, but it wasn't. It was Mr. Johnson.

Me: Hello?
Mr. J: Yes, hello. Is Michael home?
Me: Yes. This is Michael.
Mr. J: Hey Michael, this is Mr. Johnson from school.
Me: Oh! Hey Mr. Johnson. What's up? (I was surpised as a teach had never called me at home.)
Mr. J: So I just finished grading all the final exams...
Me: Uh huh...(I started to get a little nervous. Teachers don't call home unless it's bad news.)
Mr. J: You scored the highest out of all the students in the history of me giving that exam.
Me: (Utter shock) Are you serious?!
Mr. J: Yes, I'm serious! Michael, I knew you could do it. I never doubted you. I'm proud of you. Thanks for taking me up on my offer and taking my class again.
Me: (Still in shock and at a loss for words) Uhhh...no problem! Thanks for giving me a second chance!
Mr. J: You're welcome, Michael. Have a great summer and see you next year in my next class.

That's the kind of man Mr. Johnson was. He could have just gone about turning in the grades and headed straight into his own summer vacation full of Keno and baseball games. But this was Mr. Johnson. He actually cared enough to call me at home to tell me that that news. It still means so much to me today. That phone call will never be forgotten.

I ended up with a 3.8 GPA that year. I had never done better than a 2.8 GPA up until then. All I needed was that extra push from someone who actually cared. Mr. Johnson was that someone. I truly believe that because of the way he showed that he actually cared about how I did, it inspired me to try my best. I will never forget him for that. He was one of those teachers you hear about that actually made a difference in someone's life. He helped me to believe in myself and gave me the courage to try my best and not fear failure.

I do not think it to be a coincidence that I decided to look up Mr. Johnson today, on the day of his funeral. God led me here to share this story, I believe. It was just one of the very few fond memories I have of my time at Sunset and I'm sure that it is of no surprise to anyone who knew Mr. Johnson, that he was a light in a place that could be so dark at times.

Thank you, Mr. Johnson. 

Very sincerely and respectfully,

Michael Jung
Class of 1998

I had the honor of teaching at Sunset with Leighton for several years. He was such a positive spirit and we all appreciated his sense of humor and fierce dedication to his students. My favorite Leighton memory was his ongoing collection of Pi t-shirts that we could count on every Friday. Another favorite memory was his taking any math joke he could find and putting copies in our mailboxes...after changing the teacher's name to our own! 

He left teaching and this world too soon. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Even though we lost touch over the years, family memories are loving and lasting.


Mary Brault and Family

We just heard about Mr. Johnson. We were so saddened to hear this news. He was, without a doubt, the best and most special teacher our children ever had. 

You know, there are special people who impact our lives forever. Mr. Johnson was one of these people. He instilled the principals of mathematics in our children with a way no other teacher ever did or could ever do. His impact on their lives was without measure. He will always be a special part of our lives and hearts. We are so grateful for his life and love of teaching. Rest in peace, Mr. Johnson. We love you and will miss you. 

Lynn and Georgia Robinson (parents of Elizabeth Robinson)

Dear Terri
Leighton was always a special friend to me.  His kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity, and sense of humor will live in my heart always.  I'll miss him very much and am grateful to have had him as my friend.

Terri:
In this time of loss, reflect on the memories of your holidays together, family gatherings, trips, and special days.  The memories will fill your heart.  Leighton was loved by many.  He had a special character about him that I will never forget.  He will be your guardian angel until the time the two of you meet again.

OBITUARY

Leighton Lee Johnson

November 19, 1952 – August 16, 2014

Bateman Carroll Funeral Home

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