Justin Thomas Johnson

Obituary

Justin Thomas Johnson

July 31, 1991 – April 25, 2024

Justin Thomas Johnson, age 32, left this life on the morning of April 25,
2024, in Washougal, Washington. Justin suffered an unexpected cardiac
arrest at his home, and despite the numerous life-saving measures of the
first responders, he tragically passed away.

Justin, (AKA J.T. or JaJu), entered this life on July 31, 1991, in Portland,
Oregon, the son of Debra R. Porter (Johnson) and Eric D. Burger. With his
beauty & personality, Justin had all of us wrapped around his finger from
day one.

Justin lived most of his childhood years in SE Portland, where he attended
Menlo Park Elementary School, Floyd Light Middle School, and where he
graduated from David Douglas High School in 2009.

Justin started working in his mid-teens and was employed by Zumiez for
several years, which he loved almost as much as the snowboarding trips
he got to take while he worked there. As Justin got older (and even better
looking!), the jobs got even more fun – he was a male fashion model and
did some acting, including the 48 Hour Film Project and Grimm. He went on
to work at Home Depot, Dick Hannah, and Allstate before finding his calling
– SMP.

Justin was a very talented and highly rated scalp micropigmentation (SMP)
artist and small business owner for the last 8 years. In 2017, he partnered
with his wife’s family to open a cosmetic tattoo studio called Studio Meraki
(now DAELA Portland). After his divorce, Justin followed his dream of
opening his own studio. At the time of his death, he was the owner of Ink &
Ashberry (formerly SMP Portland). Justin loved to help his clients feel
better about themselves and he took great pride in his work.

Justin was interested in expanding his skills while continuing to care for
people, so he enrolled in nursing school at Concordia University. He was
excited to start on May 6, while continuing his work at Ink & Ashberry.

To know Justin is to love Justin. We can’t say “was to love Justin,” because
we will always love him. His family & closest friends describe him as having
a magnetic personality that could light up a room, as a force of nature, and
as a person who could turn a bad day into good for someone. He was a
person who everyone wanted to know and hang out with. Justin never let
anyone, or anything, stand in the way of what he wanted to accomplish. He
was charismatic, loving, loyal, an amazing father, fearless, charming, goofy,
playful, passionate, optimistic, happy, driven, stubborn, cool, friendly,
impulsive, emotional, handsome, thoughtful, a caring son, a dreamer, a
nerd, vibrant, a people person, contemplative, compassionate, a beautiful
soul, romantic, hilarious, intelligent, artistic, caring, strong, beautiful,
adventurous, deep, supportive, the best hugger, tenacious, sexy, the life of
the party, stylish, kind, the fun neighborhood dad, a child at heart, talented,
unique, and unforgettable. He was truly all these things, and we will never,
ever forget him. And we will really miss his amazing hugs.

Justin was a self-proclaimed Star Wars nerd and had a collection to prove
it. He loved spending time with his kids, friends, and family; grilling meat,
gaming, trying new restaurants, sushi, unique cocktails, rain, reading,
playing the piano, fashion, classic cars, nature, tattoos, animals, Harry
Potter, and attending Blazers & Winterhawks games. Justin also loved
traveling, especially to Isla Mujeres, Mexico with Jocelyn; he loved camping
and fishing on the Deschutes; he loved wine tasting anywhere, but his
favorite was AniChe Cellars. Justin loved eating burgers at the Champs
pop-ups, and he loved the music of Shawn James and attending his
concerts.

Justin was first and foremost an incredible and loving daddy to Olive & Ezra
Johnson - they were his pride and joy. We will shower them with love and
support, we will share memories, and we will make sure they never forget
their daddy. Justin will live on through them.

In addition to his children, Justin leaves behind his parents, Debra & Daniel
Porter of Gresham, and Eric Burger of Brightwood; his beautiful fiancée,
Jocelyn Safko of Washougal; his brother Nathaniel (Nate) Porter and sister-
in-law Sarah (Seever), and their unborn child, Lincoln, of Axis, AL.

Justin is also mourned by his grandparents, Sandy Longstreth (Swanson)
of Washougal; Wayne & Bonnie Johnson of Portland; and Roland Burger of
Brightwood; his former wife, Erica Orr Johnson, former in-laws Joe & Kim
Orr, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and close family friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Kathy Burger (Scales).

Justin was loved by so many other people who will miss him - his childhood
friends (AKA the neighborhood brothers), his Denver friends, new friends,
old friends, former colleagues & clients, and even those who only met him
once or twice in passing. Justin loved his dog, Bella, cat Niri, and his two
step-cats; they will miss him too.

A celebration of life was held at the Laurelhurst Club on 5/6/2024. 

Justin loved to do kind things for people and would love it if you did too. Please
consider a doing a Random Act of Kindness in his honor or making a
contribution to Olive & Ezra’s Early Bird investment accounts:
https://gifteb.co/olive-johnson and https://gifteb.co/ezra-johnson

We will never forget the light and love that Justin brought into our lives. He
will always be in our hearts, and we will love him forever. Rest in peace,
Justin.