Steve Johnson

Steve was born on May 5, 1954 at St Lukes Hospital in Denver, CO. He was raised in Littleton, CO on Mineral Ave with his older sister, Pam and younger brother, Scott. One of his past times was walking through the fields behind their home and bringing home snakes to his mothers delight (NOT). Steve graduated from Arapahoe High School where he played on the Tennis Team and his extracurricular activities included being a member of the Arapahoe Rescue Patrol and the Eagle Scouts. In addition, he was an avid skier of the Colorado Mountains and he loved wading the Colorado streams and rivers while fly fishing. Steve graduated from the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy in 1978 and worked at Beth Israel Hospital where he met his wife, Cindy (a jersey girl). They married two years after meeting and settled in Littleton, CO. Ten years later they had their only child, Erica Dee. Steve loved being a dad and would take Erica swimming, fishing and even played duets with her at her piano recitals. He was always encouraging her to perform so he could video her. When he wasn't fathering, he continued to play tennis on a men's league, as well as, took up Pickleball and Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) with Cindy. Steve worked as the Director of Pharmacy of Beth Israel Hospital and then St Anthony's Central Hospital before working in the IT and 340B areas of the Catholic Health Initiates (CHI) for more than 30 years He even worked during his first bout with colorectal cancer in 2005. Following radiation, surgery and chemotherapy Steve was in remission and feeling good except for a bit of neuropathy (no feeling) in his feet. Then in 2014, after being cancer free for 9 years, Steve's colorectal cancer returned. Following a 14 hours surgery, a month in the hospital, and 2 weeks in rehab, Steve was forced to retire. He really needed time for his body to heal. Though he had a few setbacks, and some chronic pain issue, his cancer was again in remission. That's when Steve and Cindy decided to move to Bradenton, FL. They took ownership of their new villa on Dec 2016 and started to enjoy the warm weather and the beaches of Anna Maria Island. In addition, after a few visits with her parents, Erica decided to join them in Florida, but moved to Tampa, a nice distance away. In 2018 Steve's colorectal cancer returned once again. Despite all the challenges placed on him, he continued to fight the good fight to beat cancer and truly earned the title of Superman. His fight continued when he contracted Covid in the hospital following a routine wound surgery. Then at 2:30 AM on Sunday, Dec 20, 2020 we all lost a great man. Those of you who had the pleasure to cross paths with Steve, know that he wasn't very organized though he'd adamantly say he knew where everything was in the pile of papers, but he was the most patient, reliable, empathetic, and moral man on the planet. Though he didn't have very many words, he knew when to crack a joke or offer up a metaphoric story of support. He will be greatly missed by many especially his wife Cindy, daughter Erica and crazy overweight mini Aussie, Carlos.