Mark Anthony Johnson

In Loving Memory of Mark Anthony Johnson

Mark Anthony Johnson was more than a father, son, husband, and friend; he was the steady heartbeat of a family, the quiet hero to countless students, and a light that warmed all who were blessed to know him. At 35, a life so radiant feels painfully brief, and yet, in his short time, he managed to leave an indelible imprint, deeply felt by those he loved and served.

Born on February 4, 1989, in Miami, FL, Anthony carried his Miami roots like a badge of honor, a symbol of strength and resilience. From the very beginning, he embraced life with a gentle but steadfast spirit. He graduated from Miramar High School and later Miami Dade College, where he pursued a path of education, inspired by a fierce belief in its power to change lives. His pursuit of a Master of Science degree from Nova Southeastern University was less a personal ambition than a mission—to better serve his students and community.

Anthony spent over 14 years as a Financial Aid Advisor at Miami Dade College, a role he took on not as a job but as a calling. To each student, he offered more than financial guidance; he offered hope, lifting them with words of encouragement and often tangible support, making their dreams as important as his own. His office was a safe haven where students knew they were seen, believed in, and supported. Anthony made everyone who came to him feel as though they mattered profoundly. His compassion wasn’t performative; it was a deep, unspoken understanding that every student deserved a champion, and he was ready to be that for them.

At home, Anthony was a different kind of champion, but no less devoted. His sons, Joshua and Adrian, were his pride and joy, a reflection of everything he valued—love, growth, and the beautiful simplicity of just being present. With his boys, he shared his love of music, creating moments that filled their home with laughter, rhythm, and a spirit of togetherness that will resonate in their hearts forever. Anthony’s dedication to his children was a cornerstone of his life, and he strived to be a positive role model for them. Anthony was deeply committed to instilling the value of education in his children, a reflection of his own dedication to learning and personal growth. He dreamed of cheering them on at every graduation, every milestone, as steadfastly as he supported their steps today.

Anthony’s dedication extended to all his family—a circle of love that defined him. His beloved wife, Marianela Reyes. His mother, Marilyn, brothers Jonathan and Matthew, biological father Mark, and his bonus father Ushimbra held places in his heart as essential as breath. He shared an unbreakable bond with his uncle Reno, aunts Andrea, Nancy, and Rhonda; cousins Laporcha, Kiyana, and Josiane who felt more like siblings. His grandparents, Marie and Michael, Marjorie, and the late Wendell, were cherished elders who gave him roots and wings. He is survived by a wide circle of family and friends that will treasure his memory. 

Beyond his family, Anthony was a friend to every animal he met, a quiet advocate for their care, and a man of faith whose actions spoke as profoundly as his beliefs. His heart was vast, capable of encompassing everyone who needed him—friend, stranger, family, student alike. In every small act of kindness, he built a legacy, a reminder of what it truly means to live with purpose and love deeply.

Anthony Johnson’s life was one of service, laughter, and compassion. His spirit remains with those who were touched by his unwavering kindness, a man who walked with humility and left us with a lesson that is, perhaps, the hardest and simplest of all—to cherish one another and to live with love. Though he has gone on ahead, his light endures, guiding us gently, like the softest hands that never let go.