Funeral Arrangements for Craig Johnson

As I’m sure you’ve all heard by now, the IBM i community lost an advocate and friend with the death of IBM i Product Manager, Craig Johnson, this week. It was a shocking blow that leaves more questions than answers. One Facebook mourner asked, “Can we recover from this?” Another, “How can we possibly fill that hole?” While we ponder the answers to those questions, let’s ask another: How can we honor this great man and all he’s meant to our community?

The opportunity to do just that will happen this weekend. Visitation and funeral arrangements have been announced for Craig and will take place as follows:

• Visitation on Friday, Jan. 29 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12th St SE, Rochester, Minn.
• Visitation on Saturday, Jan 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 5455 50th Avenue NW, Rochester, Minn.
• Funeral Mass immediately following at 10:00 a.m.

The Macken Funeral Home has set up a Web site with Craig’s obituary, maps to visitation and funeral sites, and message-delivery service where mourners can send private messages to Craig’s family.

I, for one, take comfort in a divine purpose far beyond my own understand and I pray that Kathy, Megan, Casey and all Craig’s family, friends and colleagues may find some measure of that as well. Craig, we’ve loved you and we’ll miss you terribly.

Distance will prevent many of you from attending services in Minnesota. But, wherever you are, will you join with me this weekend in honoring and saying goodbye to a beloved friend and colleague? Your love, prayers and sympathy are sure to be felt and appreciated. Thank you.

UPDATE: Just found out this news from the local Iowa paper, the Globe Gazette:

Family of accident victim seeks missing pet

LATIMER — A family friend of the man killed in the multi-vehicle pileup near Latimer during Monday’s blizzard is trying to locate one of the dogs that was with him but is now missing. 

Tricia Williams of Rochester, Minn., a friend of Kathy and the late Craig Johnson, also of Rochester, told the Globe Gazette the couple had their two Pomeranians with them in the car when it was involved in the pileup on Interstate 35.

One of the dogs was fine after the crash and is now home with Kathy Johnson, but the other — a 4-year-old male named Bear — is missing.

“We don’t know if he is hurt. We don’t know if he is dead,” Williams said.

After losing her husband, possibly losing Bear as well is difficult for Johnson, according to Williams.

“They (the dogs) are Kathy’s babies,” she said.

Bear is very bashful and probably won’t leave wherever he is hiding unless someone calls his name and coaxes him with a treat, Williams said.

Anyone finding Bear is asked to call Williams at 507-365-8440 or 507-951-0700.