GALLERY: Memorial to honor Joshua Johnson
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Cory Wingfield and Garrett Ensor say prayers in remembrance of Joshua Johnson at the June 10 memorial to honor the 16-year-old who passed away on vacation with his family last week. Alyssa Galaz and Johnell Webb (sitting) find it hard to hold back tears remembering their good friend.
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As mourners arrived Thursday, they placed candles around the dragon, which was decorated with a black rose scarf and the number 32, which was Joshua Johnson’s football number. Additional laminated photos and other gifts were placed on the dais.
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As mourners arrived Thursday, they placed candles around the dragon, including laminated photos and other gifts were placed on the dais.
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The dragon on the William Monroe High School football field was decorated with a black rose scarf and the number 32, which was Joshua Johnson’s football number.
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The dragon lit up by candles and green lights in memory of Joshua Johnson, 16, who passed away on June 7 while on vacation with his family in North Carolina. The scoreboard in the background was also lit up with “32:32” referencing Johnson’s football jersey number.
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Current and former members of the William Monroe High School football team spontaneously broke into chants of “Monroe!” during the memorial on Thursday.
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This “snow angel” was created in the William Monroe end zone in memory of the March 6, 2021, football game where Johnson celebrated by creating a snow angel after a touchdown in the finals seconds of the first half against Skyline High School and was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. It also contains the number “15” which was his basketball jersey number. Coach Bruce VanDyke laughed at that memory at the memorial on June 10, calling Joshua, “a fantastic kid.”
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Overhead view of some of the participants in the memorial service on Thursday, June 10, for Joshua Johnson, 16, who passed away June 7 while on vacation with his family.
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As Kathleen & I left the memorial for Josh Johnson at William Monroe on June 10, I looked up and saw this massive puffy heart cloud. Thank you to everyone who has shared their memories of Josh with us. We both wish we’d known him better but learning about him the past few days has been very special.
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Joshua Johnson, 16, smiles while at the beach with his family.
Photo courtesy Johnson family
Joshua Johnson, 16, smiles while at the beach with his family.
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Joshua Johnson, far right, sits with his brother Camden and his sister Dallas on a beach lifeguard chair.
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Dallas Johnson, 5, hugs her “Bubba,” which was her nickname for her big brother, Joshua, who passed away on Monday, June 7, on vacation with his family in North Carolina.
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Josh Johnson pushes through the Warren County High School defense for a Monroe touchdown on March 20, 2021.
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Two youngsters look at photos of Joshua Johnson that have been placed at the dragon during a memorial on June 10.
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Cleats hang on the goal post during the memorial for Joshua Johnson on Thursday, June 10, where he played football for the William Monroe Dragons.
Community lights up William Monroe dragon to remember Joshua Johnson
As of June 14, 11,318 Virginians have died from COVID-19 in the past year and a half. Of those who passed away, 47% were 80 years old or older…
