Howard Johnson Funeral Sermon. Psalm 23:1-3a

In this heartfelt episode, we gather to honor the life of Howard Johnson. A devoted husband to Paula, a beloved father to Barry and Marsha, and a cherished grandpa to Connor, Howard was a man whose warmth and outgoing nature touched everyone he met. He found joy in conversation, always ready to share a story or lend a helping hand.

Howard’s love for his family was evident in everything he did. He took pride in seeing his children graduate from the same high school he once attended and made sure his work schedule allowed him to be present for their milestones. A skilled handyman, he passed down his knowledge to those around him, leaving a lasting impact through both his wisdom and generosity.

One of his greatest passions was trains, a love he shared with Barry through train shows and photography adventures. In his retirement, he found peace at the beach and town dock, watching boats, observing birds, and capturing stunning sunsets with his camera. Music and the simple joys of life brought him happiness, and his presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Though Howard is no longer with us, we find comfort in knowing he is at peace in heaven, where Jesus calls us to be. His spirit lives on in the memories he created, the lessons he shared, and the love he gave so freely. Join us as we reflect on his life, celebrating the life of a man who touched so many hearts.

This sermon is preached by Pastor Timothy J. Walsh, a member of WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod). Scripture selections come from the New International Version.

Intro Music "On the Way" by Vlad Gluschenko https://soundcloud.com/vgl9
 Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

Outro Music "Divenire" by Ludovico Einaudi
copyright (℗) by: Ludovico Einaudi (in 2006)     

Transcript

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.

Family and friends of Howie - gathered to mourn, to comfort one another, to remember a man who was dear to us - grace and peace are yours. Amen.

I liked Howie. I wish I had gotten to know him better. The times I did get to talk with him, what everyone has said about him was confirmed for me. He was a man who would talk to anyone. He was outgoing, happy, lively. 

I say “was,” but that’s not quite right. Howie has not stopped being those things. Howie is with the Lord Jesus now, and he’s talking to all kinds of interesting people about all kinds of interesting things. He is still outgoing. He is still lively. He will be forever.

He is, in fact, more outgoing and more lively and happier now than he was in these last months, after his falls and his stroke. He is talking again. He is joking again. He is the Howie again that we remember from his best days.

Howie is well. But we don’t see him, and we are not well. We grieve.

Dear family and friends of Howie, be comforted. The rest and peace which God has now given to Howie, he offers to you as well. God will refresh your soul with the quiet waters of the Gospel, the good news of resurrection. God will lie you down in green pastures, where you have all you need and can rest securely. God will shepherd you, and you will lack nothing.

I’ll now read a eulogy prepared by the family.

Howard Johnson was a beloved father to Barry and Marsha, grandfather to Connor, and husband to Paula. He was lively, outgoing, and always ready to talk to anyone about anything. He loved his children, and was always glad that Barry and Marsha graduated from the same high school as him. He worked hard to make sure that his work schedule would allow him to attend whatever his kids were involved in at school. Becoming a grandfather and spending time with Connor was a great joy for him. 

Howie was very handy. He could do nearly anything around the house, and since he lived in the same house his whole life, he DID do nearly everything possible around the house! It was important to him as a father that he passed along these skills, along with other skills (like doing one’s own brakes). 

Along with handy skills, Howie passed down his interests and passions. His lifelong love of trains kept him and Barry spending time together at train shows and photographing trains into the last year of his life. 

Howie always liked music. In downtime during retirement, he enjoyed going to the beach or sitting at the town dock, where he could watch the boats, the birds, and photograph the sunsets. We know that he’s enjoying peace like that now.