Obituary

Jason Kent Johnson, age 35, died on Wednesday, January 20, 2016. Jason lived in Chicago with his beloved wife, Molly Moore Johnson, and cherished daughter, Elizabeth (Libby) Hayes Johnson.

Jason was a Research Study Coordinator at Rush NeuroBehavioral Center, where he focused on social-emotional learning in children. He graduated from Mendota High School and from Monmouth College with a B.A. in biology and chemistry.

As a member of the board of the Rafiki Collaborative, Jason supported research that examined the specialized learning needs of Kenyan youth. He was also a Friend and tireless supporter of Steep Theatre Company in Chicago. Jason loved playing sports with friends, including softball, basketball, and golf, and was an accomplished cook who enjoyed feeding grateful family and friends. But perhaps most famously, he was a three-time and reigning Turkey Bowl M.V.P.

Jason is the son of Sharry Johnson and the late Kent Johnson. Jason is survived by his wife and daughter, his mother, his two brothers, Jeremy and Jared, and his grandmother Marie Anderson, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, and nephews, who will all miss him very much.

Visitation will be at the Lakeview Funeral Home, 1458 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago, on Saturday, January 23, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 621 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago, on Sunday, January 24, at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Rafiki Collaborative or an education fund that has been established for Jason’s daughter Libby.