Sylvester (or "Sly" as his friends and clients called him) was one of the kindest men in the world. His spirit of giving was seen among many in the community because Sly was ALWAYS giving. He did the first of his Cut-A-Thons during the Democratic National Convention in 2008. He gave free shampoos and haircuts to anyone that needed them. He then followed up in 2009 with his second cut-a-thon for the same purpose of getting local hairstylists and cosmetologists together to give their services for free to hundreds of indigent families in time for back-to-school. 

Sly's personality was friendly and he always made you feel that you were one of his close friends when he listened to one of your stories or told you one of his own. Sly was an incredible story-teller and it was a treat to him so animated when he act out a story that usually ended with some sort of joke an anicdote. Sly gave his time to the youth and he always gave sage advice to many, many young women and men that are now grown adults today. 
The celebrities that Sly has touched are too many to name but a few of them are: Dave Chappell, Michelle Obama, Rosa Parks, Gayle King (best friend to Oprah), Shannon Sharpe plus a host of other athletes, actors, actresses and television personalities. 

Sly's ability to cut and style everyone's hair was a skill that he more than likely learned from his grandmother and mother, who were also hairstylists. He consistently told people that he was a "third generation cosmetologist"; he kept in the spirit of his mother Clara Lee by often feeding his clients in Sly's Salon where hosted several gatherings, functions and parties, including his "Martin Luther King Day Breakfasts"; Sly would cook a bountiful breakfast for anyone who wanted to join him at the salon before embarking on his annual participation in the Martin Luther King Parade in January. 

A devoted and loving father to his children, it was evident from his behavior how much he treasured. 

One of Sly's funny and repetative sayings was: "Oh that's terrible!" and "Are you a man or a mouse!" Sly was always extremely funny and entertaining to his clients and friends and more times than not had that million-dollar smile upon his face. 

Sylvester leaves behind is sons, Sylvester Vernell Johnson, Jr., Samson Barrister Johnson and Savion Johnson, his brothers, Wendell Buchanan and Jerry Johnson and tons of family and friends.

Memorial Services for Sylvester Vernell Johnson, Sr. will be held:
Friday, September 7th at 11:00 a.m. 
at Cure d'Ars Church 
3201 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80207 
Telephone (303) 322-1119. 
Repass will follow immediately after the Memorial Service.

In addition, in lieu of flowers or other gestures, donations can be made to an educational trust created for the boys. Contributions can be sent to The Samson and Savion Johnson Educational Trust, PO Box 101502, Denver , CO 80250. Resources from this fund will be used to support the future education of the boys in high school and college.