of course, I met Johnny at HH, he was one of the kindest, sweetest souls on that campus, always cheerful and humorous, Johnny didn't care what you looked like or what part of town you were from, he only cared about who you were as a person, Johnny taught me a great deal just by his actions, sorry to see him go.
It has been many years since I saw Johnny. It was a few years after HS and we chatted at the old Russell's Market at the bottom of Bst. I believe he said he was a fireman and doing well. The one thing about not seeing him for so many years, is that my vision of him is as the tall strong man he was. A man with his whole life ahead of him. We were all that way back then.
I can picture him in HS as if it was yesterday. Walking most of the time with Erna . I was in track and football with him, and can honestly say that I never saw any anger in him or bad temper. I believe it was his house that we had a party in his basement with the walls painted black. many Black pride posters on the wall with black lights as the only lumminations. Pretty coooooool.
As the number on our age gets larger, I think we all get much more nostalgic and emotional about people we have know and shared life with. He is in my thoughts today, and once again a vision of him running on the field is played.
I'll always remember Johnny coming to my son's 5th grade class to share his paintings of the African kings and queens. They were enthralled, with him and his work. I have no doubt he inspired them and others he touched along his life's journey. A peaceful soul. God bless him in his new home.
One of the nicest people. He was fun to talk to and I loved that he offered me advise on my art work. I never heard him say a mean thing about anyone. I remember on my birthday when we were juniors him coming up and asking if it was my birthday and when I told him it was he gave me one of the best hugs I think I have ever gotten. You will be missed by many, but we will see each other again.
Johnny was my neighbor. We went to Junior High and High School together. I remember him as being a fun loving guy. He and Erna Waiters were joined at the hip. He was our football hero. While I haven't seen Johnny since I left Hayward in 1974, I remember him well and will never forget him. Prayers for the family. Suzetta Goward Perkins
A real nice guy. The last time I saw Johnny was at a reunion at Wente Brothers Winery in Livermore many years ago. He was dressed in a suit and looking pretty good! We talked for a while. Everyone liked Johnny!
If anyone at Hayward High did not have the privelecge of knowing Johnny they certainly would have wondered "who that drop dead handsome" young man was who just walked by.
So very sorry to hear of Johnny's passing; my condolances to his loved ones.
I can remember Erna wearing his block sweater like it was last week.
James Raymond Crosby
of course, I met Johnny at HH, he was one of the kindest, sweetest souls on that campus, always cheerful and humorous, Johnny didn't care what you looked like or what part of town you were from, he only cared about who you were as a person, Johnny taught me a great deal just by his actions, sorry to see him go.
Steve Schley
It has been many years since I saw Johnny. It was a few years after HS and we chatted at the old Russell's Market at the bottom of Bst. I believe he said he was a fireman and doing well. The one thing about not seeing him for so many years, is that my vision of him is as the tall strong man he was. A man with his whole life ahead of him. We were all that way back then.
I can picture him in HS as if it was yesterday. Walking most of the time with Erna
. I was in track and football with him, and can honestly say that I never saw any anger in him or bad temper. I believe it was his house that we had a party in his basement with the walls painted black. many Black pride posters on the wall with black lights as the only lumminations. Pretty coooooool.
As the number on our age gets larger, I think we all get much more nostalgic and emotional about people we have know and shared life with. He is in my thoughts today, and once again a vision of him running on the field is played.
Judith Ruiz (Verhoek)
I'll always remember Johnny coming to my son's 5th grade class to share his paintings of the African kings and queens. They were enthralled, with him and his work. I have no doubt he inspired them and others he touched along his life's journey. A peaceful soul. God bless him in his new home.
Deborah Mary Dalton (Dittmeyer)
One of the nicest people. He was fun to talk to and I loved that he offered me advise on my art work. I never heard him say a mean thing about anyone. I remember on my birthday when we were juniors him coming up and asking if it was my birthday and when I told him it was he gave me one of the best hugs I think I have ever gotten. You will be missed by many, but we will see each other again.
Suzetta Goward (Perkins)
Johnny was my neighbor. We went to Junior High and High School together. I remember him as being a fun loving guy. He and Erna Waiters were joined at the hip. He was our football hero. While I haven't seen Johnny since I left Hayward in 1974, I remember him well and will never forget him. Prayers for the family. Suzetta Goward Perkins
Manuel (Butch) Furtado
A real nice guy. The last time I saw Johnny was at a reunion at Wente Brothers Winery in Livermore many years ago. He was dressed in a suit and looking pretty good! We talked for a while. Everyone liked Johnny!
Joan Heckenliable (Silva)
too young indeed. And as the years pass, it looks younger and younger. Sorry to hear about Johnny.
Sarah Gray (Sparks)
If anyone at Hayward High did not have the privelecge of knowing Johnny they certainly would have wondered "who that drop dead handsome" young man was who just walked by.
So very sorry to hear of Johnny's passing; my condolances to his loved ones.
I can remember Erna wearing his block sweater like it was last week.
Joseph Worthington
I got the news last week about Johnney Ray's death all the way here in Ghana. He was a wonderful person. May you rest in perfect peace my brother.
Judi Foster (Davlin)
Hearing of Johnny's death saddened me. I had known him since middle school at Strobridge. What a great person he was. Will miss you my friend.