CURTIS DAVID JOHNSON

Curtis David Johnson of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on December 31, 2011 at the age of 52. Curtis is the son of George G. Johnson (deceased) of Big Bay, MI, and Carmen A. Johnson of Marquette, MI, and he is also survived by his two children, Lauren and Blake Johnson of Scottsdale, AZ; his brother, Roger Johnson of Marquette, MI, and his three sisters, Elizabeth Sonderegger of Marquette, MI, Susan McCabe of Traverse City, MI, and Renee Re of San Antonio, TX. Curtis has several nieces and nephews also. On January 6, 2012, funeral services were held at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church in Carefree, Arizona. A graveside service will be held in Marquette at a later time. On March 7, 1959, the world was blessed by the birth of Curtis, in Marquette, MI. He was involved in numerous sports as a child and he was also known as a very talented athlete while at Marquette Senior High School, lettering in Football, Basketball, and Track. He graduated from MSHS in 1978. Curtis attended Northern Michigan University and in 1991, he graduated from Northern Hennepin Community College in Minnesota with an Associate in Arts Degree. He was a licensed residential and commercial contracto...[more]

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n the state of AZ, where he owned a successful business, Showplace Interiors and Pinnacle Interiors Group for 25 years. In 2002, Curtis completed the Stephen Ministry program at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church in Carefree, AZ, where he counseled and prayerfully helped others. One of Curtis' passions was to coach youth sports, where he made an impact on several young athletes' lives. He coached his children's soccer, football, and basketball teams, and he most recently coached the Freshmen Boys basketball team at Pinnacle High School in Phoenix. Curtis will be remembered as a loving father, son, brother, and friend to all who had the privilege of knowing him. He was an avid football fan of the Green Bay Packers, the Arizona Cardinals and the University of Michigan. Hunting, fishing, enjoying the outdoors, and cooking were amongst Curtis' favorite hobbies. He also took great joy and pleasure whenever he had the chance to visit Marquette and enjoy its beauty with his family and friends. All who loved and knew Curtis will greatly miss him. He was a loving, kind, and generous man who always put the needs of others first, and who always made people feel at ease. We love you Curt, and we will miss your contagious sense of humor and your inviting and unforgettable smile. "Don't grieve for me for now I'm free. I'm following the path God laid for me. I took his hand when I heard him call. I could not stay another day. To laugh, to work or play. Task left undone must stay that way. If my parting has left a void Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss. Ah yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow. I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I've savored much. Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief. Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and share with me. God wanted me now; he set me free." Author Unknown Memories may be shared at www.canalefuneral.com