Daniel,
Your service yesterday was just as you would have wanted it to be. We all came together to celebrate your life, tell stories, share memories. You would have loved our hotel pre party and after party with the boys playing guitar. You were my first love and you knew that. It was so great seeing your family. You are so missed. Jarrett

I was blessed to have known Daniel,to have shared his life and a marriage with him. I'm also blessed for having been embraced and welcomed into his family- the wonderful Johnsons.When I saw Daniel during his last days with us we talked if many things but the most important thing he said was how Amanda was his light and how she has his heart. Let us all commit to telling her about Daniel.

Today was Daniel's Memorial Service and it was beautiful, painful and tearful but there was also joy as we all came together to celebrate his life. Some of us said some things but I was too choked up to talk and i I cry even now as I write this. Here's what I wanted to say:

Daniel, I've spent this weekend visiting with old friends who invited me to their VES reunion. I can't drive onto that campus and not think of you. I was flooded with memories of all the many times I picked you up off those front steps and we escaped to have fun on the parkway, my lake, friends homes, etc... Many great stories were told this weekend about you and you are not forgotten. xo

Daniel, it is difficult to accept you have been gone a year but know that I think of you every day in some way. I will always treasure our years together and will always consider myself fortunate to love you and have been loved by you. You are remembered fondly and loved deeply, and Amanda will know how precious you are to all of us.
Love, Aimee

I thought of you and your family as soon as I woke up this morning. It is hard to believe a year has passed--a difficult one for us down here but we know it has been a wonderful year full of peace, joy, and love for you. Tell our Emily, "Hello for us."
Love, Aunt Carole

Today will be one of the hardest days of my life. I miss you every day and know you are in a better place. I will always love you and think about your very happy childhood. Love, Mom

It is hard to believe that it has been a year since you died Daniel. Although there are many times where my life keeps going on - - crazy with the kids and work, but often in the midst of it all, something will remind me of you. We so miss you everyday but know now you are truly fulfilled, happy, healthy and not in pain. We will continue to remind Amanda all about YOU. LOVE YOU - Meredith

Daniels birthday wass a very hard day for me. I cried at church and later at home. He will always be my eldest child. I just wish there was some way to know he is okay and happy. We love you, Daniel, and always will.
Mom

I lit a candle for you last night at church for you big brother. It was all souls day. I was able to place a -picture of you me and nathan taken by Aunt Meredith this past spring break. You were pretty sick then but able to walk around and hang out with all of us. I also lit candles for sweet Emily and both sets of our grandparents that I know are with you now. We miss you all . Meredith

Dear Dan,

we miss you....but i have v fond memories of all the times we spent together, happy birthday may you have eternal happiness and joy wherever you are.....

Happy Birthday, Daniel. We wish you were with us to celebrate your 44th birthday and we love and miss you very much. Here's to you, dearest Daniel and to your precious memory. You are still with us and will be forever.
Love, Aimee

From the whole Gelman Family - - we are all missing you today Daniel - -Uncle D! What a treasure you were! What we will remember most was your amazing ability to parent with such patience, understanding and love. Even hours before leaving us you were saying to me that to remind Amanda that we Johnsons fall fast and hard in love. It is in our nature! We sure miss and love you big brother.

There was a phone call from David on this day 44 years ago saying that he and Alice had a son and his name was Daniel. I remember the excitement in his voice. When Barry and I went over to Nashville and saw that tiny bundle, we were sunk! Those blue eyes! Then the next Summer Alice and I were in Pensacola together and I would bathe and rock Daniel to sleep. He was such a sweet baby!

Daniel was the reason Barry and I have children. After being with him one Summer, I went home and started my own family. I always felt a connection with him and when he and Winston broke up, he called me and cried over the phone. I knew how tender he was. One of the last things he said to me was to never let Amanda forget that last Easter. His words,"We'll always have that Easter,"

Happy 44th Daniel!!! I left you a song today!!! Rock out and enjoy!!!
Love
Jarrett

Daniel Johnson - a darn good guy I've been blessed to call a friend since the 7th grade. He will forever remain in the great-friends-of-all-time category! Thank you for living life with me my dear friend! I know you are roaming the white skies with angel wings, and you're up there in our corner and you've got our backs!

Daniel was my best freind. I met him his 10th grade year at Maury High School and have spoken to him or seen him every day for 25 years. I miss him so much. It was because of Daniel, I was fortunate to know two incredible people in his life... Aimee and Jarrett.

I love you Daniel.

Daniel 's birth on October 28, 1968, entitled me to a new name--Aunt Carole! I was so excited about being an aunt, but I was not able to meet Daniel in person until the spring of 1969 when his parents came to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, for his Baptism. That was the start of my relationship with a special nephew who is now dearly missed.

DHJ has left a hole in my heart. I have the BEST memories of our time together and am so glad that he and I were ALWAYS able to remain friends. He told me his dream was to have a blond haired/blue eyed baby girl. Amanda, one day if you read this, I would love for you to contact me. I have stories that I would like to share with you and pictures to give you. Peace be with you sweet girl!

Daniel was our oldest child and will forever be missed in my life. He was a unique individual. He was greatly loved by all who knew him.

Gone are the days we used to share,
But in our hearts you are always there,
The gates of memory will never close,
We miss you more than anyone knows,
With tender love and deep regret,
We who love you will never forget.

It's hard to believe
You are no longer here,
We think of you,
You feel so near,
In some small way, every single day,
Memories of you come our way.