On November 25, 2006, Jordan Ross Johnson died of heart failure at the age of 15 while on a trip with his family in the Virgin Islands.

Jordan’s Christian faith was central to his life. He exhibited those values as a member of his church, his school, and his community. The way he lived his life was his ministry. His cell phone banner said simply “I love life”. He was strong but gentle, content and comfortable with himself and others. He was at peace with himself and with the world.

The Johnson Family

Jordan was everyone’s best friend; no matter your age, or your background, when you met him he would make you feel as if you had known each other all your lives. He accepted you without judgment, and loved you unconditionally. But those he loved most were his sisters Aubree and Desiree, his mother Cyndie, and his father Tom. They made so many wonderful memories together, whether at home, on the water, or taking spring break trips to Paradise Village in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

No one embraced life with more enthusiasm than Jordan. At 6’2” and 170 pounds he was an incredible athlete, and he excelled in football, basketball, swimming, track, and volleyball. His hobbies also included dirt biking, snowmobiling, water skiing, air chairing, wake skating, and anything else he could do behind his Malibu ski boat.

He had blonde hair, blue eyes, and lots of charm. He was also well known for his big hands, big feet, and especially his big heart. Jordan had a wonderful sense of humor, both warm and ironic. He used to say that he felt blessed to be so outrageously handsome, but added that he always wished he were simply average looking so that women wouldn’t keep throwing themselves at him. That was Jordan’s way -- he made everyone around him laugh, and he always kept a smile on their faces.

We also remember Jordan’s positive attitude. He loved the feeling of being on the basketball court; he didn’t have to be the one scoring the baskets. And while he loved nothing more than making a great tackle, it was being on the field that gave him the biggest rush. Everyone who knew Jordan loved and admired him, and he was justly famous for his high fives and his hugs.

He also loved to clown around. He was known to paint his cousins faces as they slept; sometimes they would wake up with duct tape in their hair and toothpaste in their ears. And what was that thing he used to do with his stomach muscles?

Jordan often had to get up very early in the morning for swim practice. He used to brag that he held the world record for getting ready -- he needed only five minutes, and half that time was spent eating cereal. He loved teaching family and friends how to ride the dirt bike and the four wheelers. It wasn’t a good day unless everyone ended up completely covered in mud. The best days were the ones where he had to be hosed off before his mom would let him come back inside the house.

He only saw what was good in others and cheered them on to be their best. He learned to do that by cheering on Desiree at her swim meets and Aubree at her basketball games. He’s still rooting for all of us until we meet again in Heaven .- The Johnson Family