What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone, but what is woven into the lives of others.
Eric, a native and longtime resident of Mount Vernon, Ohio, will be remembered for his devotion to family, his Christian faith, his curiosity, and his gift for making people feel seen and cared for.
Nothing mattered more to Eric than his children, Kat and Colin; his sisters, Kim and Amy; and his brother, Adam. He also treasured his brother and sister in Christ, Dave and Stephanie Maggert. His former wife, Sarah, remained his beloved friend and travel partner, and their enduring bond was filled with affection and shared adventures.
Eric served in the United States Navy aboard a submarine—an especially memorable challenge given his height. Away from his service, he found joy in studying the Bible, assembling puzzles, traveling, antiquing, socializing, watching movies, and playing video games. He was a devoted Cleveland Browns fan and enjoyed the Christian music group CAIN.
His tastes were as distinctive as he was. Eric loved films including Tombstone, The Iron Giant, and Star Wars, and he was always willing to give an unusual, offbeat movie or television series a try. He had a special affinity for John Wayne, old objects, and history.
An accomplished author, Eric published "No Greater Calling: A Chronological Record of Sacrifice and Heroism During the Western Indian Wars, 1865–1898" in 2012. The book was one of his proudest achievements and reflected his deep love of historical nonfiction. Above all, he returned often to the Bible, which he read and studied regularly.
Eric’s compassion was perhaps his greatest gift. While antiquing with Sarah, he would find old black-and-white military photographs and, whenever identifying information was available, search for the service members’ families. On one occasion, he located the family of a man pictured in photographs from an antique store. Grateful for his effort, they invited Eric and Sarah to a gathering where they looked through old family photographs and reminisced together.
Through his faith, service, scholarship, humor, and generous attention to others, Eric inspired people to become better versions of themselves. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all whose lives he touched.
The family of Eric Johnson welcomes any gesture of remembrance that feels right to you.
Arranged and delivered by a local florist, with a note in your words. A quiet way to let Eric’s family know you are thinking of them.
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I served with Eric. And while it says he served on subs. That is an understatement. The sub he served on was the most decorated unit in the Navy. You had to be selected to serve on it and to be assigned to it meant you were the top of the class. He was part of an elite unit.
Rest in peace Shipmate, we have the watch.
We have the watch shipmate. Prayers to your family from your Parche brothers.
Deepest sympathy to his family and shipmates for their loss.
We have the watch shipmate. Fair winds and following seas.
