Mr. Kevin M. Johnson of Fullerton, CA passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 24, 2023 from his ongoing battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). He was 65 years old.

Born 1958 in New York, the son of the late Francis J. Johnson and the late Lorretta Johnson; Kevin was the 7th of their 9 children.

Kevin spent his youth in Nanuet, NY where he attended St. Anthony’s Grammar School and graduated from Albertus Magnus High School in 1976. Following high school, Kevin studied at St. Thomas Aquinas College graduating in 1980 with a degree in Fine Arts. After college, he moved to California where he planted his roots and spent the remainder of his years. He built a 3 decade-long career at Allied Refrigeration, devoted to several roles and the company’s mission.

For 34 years, he was an avid member of a 12-step fellowship, cultivating friendships he truly cherished. Kevin’s love of baseball started as a young boy when he began following his beloved New York Yankees which led to a lifelong devotion to the game. Kevin enjoyed Seinfeld reruns and could yada, yada, yada “Seinfeldisms” with fellow aficionados. He also enjoyed art, good conversations, quality relationships, honesty, forgiveness, delicious food, walks with beautiful scenery, and the celebration of life’s milestones. Kevin had many amazing attributes, but above all, he was gregarious, brave, empathetic and humble. Kevin was an inspiration to many and he will continue to live on in our hearts.

Over the last couple of years, Kevin was lovingly cared for by his wife and an expert team of healthcare professionals. Kevin was eternally grateful for his close friends and family who continued to show up for him until his last days. Their compassionate visits and constant communications helped him face ALS with a calm sense of bravery and an incredible mental strength that shined through with the everchanging setbacks of the disease.

Kevin is survived by his wife of 25 years, Leslie Johnson of Fullerton, CA and his two daughters, Lori Robbins of San Marcos, CA and Julie Haugen (Corrigan) of Carlsbad, CA. He was a beloved “Poppy” to his grandchildren, Mikayla Robbins, Ryan Robbins, Hudson Haugen and Harper Haugen. Additionally, he was thrilled at the announcement of his soon-to-be great-grandchild coming in 2024.

He is also survived by his siblings: Francis E. Johnson of Massachusetts, Lorretta Johnson (John Waklais) of New Jersey, Edward Johnson of New York, Margaret DeLorenzo (Robert “Bob”) of New Jersey, Catherine “Kate” Southren of New Jersey, Anne Mallon (John) of Virginia, brother-in-law, John Calabro of New York and many nieces and nephews that he cared for deeply.

Kevin was preceded in death by his brother: Joseph Johnson of New Jersey, sister: Mary Calabro of New York, and nephew: Francis Johnson II of New York.

Per Kevin’s wishes, he will be cremated. No funeral services will be held. Celebration of Life arrangements will be planned at a future date. Kevin faced ALS much like one of his childhood heroes, Lou Gehrig of his beloved Yankees, who first brought world-wide awareness to the progressive disease. He too felt like “the luckiest man on the face of the earth” because of his life career, interests, beautiful family and devoted friends. Donations can be made to the ALS Association in Kevin’s honor to continue the research necessary to eradicate this difficult disease.

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