Anthony Ryan Johnson

Please join us to celebrate Tony's life, Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Harry's Place, 404 Verlinden Ave., Lansing MI. 11am until 1pm. Please notify Windy by either by email or text if you can attend so that we can make sure we have enough food and space set up. cell: 517-285-3995 or email: windyj5353@gmail.com

TONY'S STORY

The day after his 51st birthday, he woke with a backache. After 2 weeks of suffering he was admitted to the hospital, where tests showed renal cell cancer had spread to his spine causing fractures and cracks in his vertebrae and other bones. He was hospitalized for 8 weeks in both Hurley Hospital in Flint and UofM hospital in Ann Arbor. His pain was not able to be controlled in hospital so no cancer treatment was performed in either hospital as he was too weak to undergo any treatment. Finally, after agonizing consultations with Physicians including Oncologists, it became clear that it was time to seek comfort through Hospice care. His mom (Windy), and Tony together came to the decision to be transported from Flint Hurley hospital to Poppen Hospice House in Muskegon. This move occurred so that Windy could be by his side as the the facility was only 10 minutes from my home. Hospice House got his pain under control and he was able to rest. Tony actually commented that he liked the facility and staff and they eased his pain. I was with him every day and I am missing those middle of the night talks we'd have holding my boy's hand.

Tony lived in Arizona where he enjoyed participating in Arizona Fastest Street cars, and still has many friends from that era. Tony loved anything with an engine. He raced his Harley Davidson motorcycle and his Mustang. He bought a bigger, stronger, faster engine but never got around to installing it in the Mustang. It sits in his garage still.

He lived in Myrtle Beach for a minute, where his dad, Larry Johnson was from. His Uncles Walt and Terry, Aunts Jeanie and Cathy and cousins still live there.

Tony returned to Michigan where he held several jobs, including bartending at The Knight Cap Restaurant. He joined forces with his and his dad's best friend, John Sharnetsky, and started Johnson Training and Consulting: JTC. He moved to Flint where his business involved teaching and certifying people to remove asbestos and other items of consequence on construction sights. He loved his home and life in Flint with his 2 precious dogs, Capo and Jefe', who are urgently in need of new homes (See WIndy please).

Throughout this ordeal it was a rough road for Tony these last 3 months. He was so brave. I, his mom, was privileged to advocate for him. He would tell the medical staff, "Talk to my mom, She's in charge". We were blessed by the constant support of our family, his sister Morgan (Johnson) Patterson (Bryan) his nephew Bobby and both nieces Georgia and Kim. His aunt Charlie (Charlotte) Sinadinos, (Russ Launer) and cousins Christa, Stephen and Rachel Sinadinos. Uncle Todd Brown and Robbin, and cousins Sam and Sage Brown as well as Tony's stepfather Raymond Purdy. Everyone was always there for him when needed.

Thank you to his best friend John Sharnetsky who was always available for him. Thank You to friend Mike for the beautiful painting of all Tony's dogs and to his loving friend Jess for caring so much. Thank you to Dr. Kyle for your medical advice, and assurances through this. Thank you to Fred Tabor for praying Tony through to salvation.

He is preceded in death by his dad, Larry Johnson. and his step brother R Michael Purdy. Tony has gone to see his grandma Georgia and grampa Clark (Lefty) Brown. His Grandparents Margret and Cleveland (aka Speck) Johnson. Tony named his Grandma Mimi and that name stuck and even in death everyone still calls her Mimi.

Thank you to all of you for your prayers and thoughts throughout this difficult time. Look forward to celebrating with you. 

"With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed.  In your might you guide them to your sacred home."  Exodus 15:13