Richard Johnson

Richard (Rick) Arlan Johnson, 61, died on January 9, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona, due to complications from cancer treatment. He was born in Chicago, Illinois June 24, 1955, the oldest of three children, to parents Howard and Barbara (Hammerschmidt) Johnson. He left behind a sister, Nancy Waters (Bill Waters), a brother Philip Johnson (Brenda Johnson), his wife Kathy (Kelly) and his daughter Jessica Johnson (Ben Merbitz) along with many nephews, nieces and good friends all around the country. He was married to Kathy in LaPorte, TX on July 3, 1981. Daughter Jessica was born in Houston, TX on December 30, 1981. Originally from the Western Suburbs of Chicago, Rick and his wife Kathy moved around a bit spending time in Illinois, Texas, Montana, Missouri and finally Arizona. He spent a good portion of his career in truck sales but was known by many in the Chicagoland area as the owner of Verso Enterprises, a custom counter top fabrication shop. He started the business himself and it was headquartered in Carol Stream, Illinois where he was also a board member on the Chamber of Commerce. He was an avid Harley rider and started riding regularly on an almost brand new 1995 Softtail Custom. He and Kathy eventually purchased a toy hauler and spent many vacations at motorcycle rallies from Laconia to Daytona to Sturgis. His riding days were cut short by an accident in February of 2012 in Arizona that injured his back and totaled his beloved ride. He was diagnosed with stage III gastroesphogeal cancer in September of 2016. In November, he had just begun the 2nd phase of his cancer treatment, chemoradiation, when he contracted Valley Fever, a fungal infection common in the Southwestern United States. By the time this infection was diagnosed in mid-December, it had spread over his entire body and the sometimes toxic treatments given him to abate it shut down his kidneys. The combination of the incurable cancer, the incurable fungal infection, and the renal failure were more than he could take. He was a big, loyal, kind, gentle, loving, romantic who liked to work hard and play hard and loved music and his family and friends. His passing has left an empty space in the many lives he touched over his 61 years. Rest in peace Rick! We will miss you so much! There will be a celebration of Rick's life in Phoenix, Arizona at his home on Saturday, April 29, 2017 beginning at 11AM. The Chicago remembrance event will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2017 starting at 1:30 PM at Warren's Ale House in Wheaton, IL. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to one of the following in Rick's memory: Hospice of the Valley, http://www.hov.org/donate OR Valley Fever Center For Excellence, http://vfce.arizona.edu/about/support-center