Johnny's Memorial 50th Birthday Bash

Hello everyone,

Today would have been Johnny's fiftieth birthday. He was looking forward to it with the gusto that he showed when looking forward to all fun events in his life. Thanks to our dear family at the Aiken Kroger Store, where Johnny had worked for 10 years, our sweet Johnny had his big birthday bash after all! I know he loved it because I could feel his happy spirit there with us. And can Kroger throw a party...whew! Store manager, Eric Carroll, went all out for this celebration in memory of Johnny, just as they would have done had Johnny still been with us. Juice, coffee and donuts were served as people began gathering in the store cafe where a huge sheet cake has displayed on a table topped with colorful balloons. In honor of Johnny's service to the store, a plaque was unveiled, dedicated and hung at the entrance of the store next to customer service. It was so touching and had Johnny's favorite bible verse included on it. Mr. Carroll spoke eloquently of Johnny's service and shared some stories and anecdotes that brought Mom, me, and many others to tears. Others spoke of Johnny too, including the Kroger area manager, and several employees. It was absolutely wonderful greeting everyone and sharing birthday cake and a rousing Happy Birthday to my brother.

For many years, Johnny was the "official" Happy Birthday singer over the Kroger intercom on those special days. He loved to grab that phone and belt out the rousing song with a surprise finish off of "Shooby Dooby Do, Bop Bop Shee Bop" or whatever else he could come up with that day. Mr. Carroll acknowledged that wonderful memory on the bottom of the plaque with a "Happy Birthday to all!" from Johnny. John would have loved that part. How proud Johnny must be. I know that we, his loving family, could not have been more proud or loved him more than we did today and will till we will see him again in heaven.

Later several of us joined together for lunch at his favorite restaurant, the Eastern Buffet, just as we would have done on any of his birthdays. We had taken the balloons from the store and released them in the parking lot after our meal. It was wonderful to watch them rise and think of how Johnny would have enjoyed the day. I hope you will enjoy these pictures that Ken took and remember Johnny with a smile too.

Much love through tears of mixed joy and sadness,

Sally Bradford Bryan