Grant Johnson Jr. of Washougal passed away earlier this week at the age of 18. Photo courtesy GoFundMe
🎧 Washougal Mourns Grant Johnson Jr., 18
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Grant Johnson Jr.’s family, and the community of Washougal is stepping up in support of a young man who always supported others throughout his young life
Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday
Grant Johnson Jr. had quite a gift that he shared with all those around him, growing up in Washougal.
“If you were in a bad mood, if Grant was there, you wouldn’t be upset anymore,” said close friend Julian Martell. “He made everyone happier. That’s the kind of guy he was.”
This week, Washougal is mourning the loss of a young giant of a person.
Grant Johnson Jr., who graduated from Washougal High School last month, died Monday after he came down with an advanced form of a bacterial infection that spread faster than could be controlled, according to the GoFundMe page in support of his family.
“He was just a great person. Everyone loved being around him. He was such a positive person,” Martell said.
Grant, Martell added, could turn a bad situation into a good one, just by being himself.
Grant’s football coach at Washougal, David Hajek, agreed.
Grant Johnson Jr, fifth from the left, had a bunch of friends. Johnson, who died earlier this week, had a gift for always being positive, making those around him feel better. Photo courtesy Julian Martell
“He’s one of those kids who never said bad things about anybody,” Hajek said. “If you see him, he’d give a smile. Just a great kid to be around. Never saw him angry. Never heard him say a bad word about anybody.”
There was a vigil in Grant’s honor on Wednesday in Washougal, attended by family, friends, classmates, teachers, coaches, and more.
“It just shows how tight knit the community is,” Martell said. “Everyone knows everyone around here. It shows how the community is able to help each other. It really meant a lot to his family and to me. It shows how Washougal can come together as a small-town community but still have a big impact.”
The community is also raising money for Grant’s family. Money raised will be used to help with final arrangements and to to allow family members to take time off of work in order to mourn. Also, money will go toward any unpaid medical bills.
“Kind and generous, he was a shining example of the type of child a parent strives to raise,” according to the GoFundMe page, which can be seen here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/panther-nation-for-grant-johnson-jr
The goal is to raise $30,000, and the fundraiser, as of Thursday afternoon, had already passed $17,000.
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