Johnny Lee Brewer

Johnny Lee Brewer November 16. 1949 to August 1, 2023 San Diego, CA Johnny Lee Brewer of San Diego, passed away August 1, 2023 with family and friends by his side. Johnny was born in Amarillo, Texas on November 16, 1949 to Hugh “Bill” and Patricia Brewer. Johnny moved with his mother and stepfather Frederick D. Switzer, to Japan when he was 7 years old and returned to the United States to live in Colorado until he was 16 years old. Later Johnny lived in Texas and finally made his home in California.

Growing up Johnny was very athletic and played sports. He competed in Track and Field, Football and Baseball. Johnny’s favorite sport was Football. Johnny played defensive tackle in the CIF Championship game of 1967 and helped his alma mater bring home the only CIF championship won at that high school.

Johnny graduated from Beaumont High School in 1968. He started working in construction and moved on to a variety of jobs throughout his life. Johnny enjoyed helping others. The McAlister Institute gave him many opportunities to be of help. He found his niche there. In 1991 Johnny began working as a Substance Abuse Counselor. He graduated from the San Diego Culinary Institute in 2007 and became a chef. Johnny worked as the Assistant Chef at the McAlister Institute for 4 years and then began managing the Bingo Hall there in 2013, where he was given the nickname “Johnny Bingo”.

Johnny loved his family and was a very social person at work. People were naturally drawn to his magnetic personality, wonderful sense of humor and striking good looks. Johnny was known to be very non-judgmental and was an endearing person. Johnny is preceded in death by his father, “Bill” Brewer in 2006, stepfather’s Frederick Switzer in August 1988, John Cash in February 2017, and his mother Patricia Switzer-Cash in December of 2022.

Johnny is survived by his half-sister, Laura Switzer Hayes, stepsister Anne Switzer Bowen, half-brother, William Brewer, sons, Paul, Daniel and Matthew (Brewer) Stull, nephews John and Ben Hayes, eight Grandchildren, Joseph Stull, Ashlyn (Stull) Britt, Jordyn Stull, Jack Stull, Cierra (Stull) Valdivia, Jeremie Stull, Trevor and Hannah Stull, Great Grandchildren, Sutton, Scarlett, Leroy Valdivia, Tucker Britt, and cousins Martina Ortiz, Randall Smith, Steven Summers and Ted Summers.

A tribute will be held to celebrate Johnny’s life on September 11, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. at the McAlister Institute for Treatment and Education (MITE), 1365 N. Johnson Ave., Suite 101, El Cajon, CA 92020 and phone number (619) 440-4801.