Josh Johnson during his years with the H.M. King Brahmas. It is an experience no parent should ever have to go through; burying their child. Kenny and Twila Johnson, unfortunately, know what it is like to say goodbye to an offspring. The Johnson’s – along with daughters Kendra and Kayla – lost their son Josh who passed away on January 18, 1999 because of complications from Crohn’s Disease.

Josh played basketball and football for H.M. King High School during the 1998-1999 seasons, made the All-District 31-4A team and was named Offensive Player of the Year for the Brahmas. On the gridiron, under Head Coach Harry McCluskey, Josh was a wide receiver and a deep snapper. He wore Number-82.

In honor of Josh, Kingsville Independent School District and its athletic department will retire the Number-82 football jersey during a ceremony to be held at the Brahmas’ home opener against Victoria East at 7:30 p.m. on Friday September 3.

“We are just totally humbled and honored that the athletic department is doing such a thing,” Mrs. Johnson said. “We are very honored that Head Coach Robert Wilcox is willing to do this.”

The ceremony will be attended by one of Josh’s former coaches and Mrs. Johnson is inviting everyone from the 1998-1999 teams to join the ceremony

“Coach Donald Gann (one of McCluskey’s assistants) is coming to present the Number-82 jersey and he is going to read some comments written by Coach McCluskey,” Mrs. Johnson said. “Anyone who played on the 1998-1999 teams with Josh, as well as the coaches, are invited to be on the field for the ceremony which will be held pre-game; before the kickoff. If they will let me know that they are coming, we’ll get their name on a list for when they show up at the ticket booth (Gate C) and they can get in free.”

Josh, while growing up, was your normal high school teenager.

“I don’t want to make him out to be a total angel but he was your typical 17-year old,” Mrs. Johnson said. “But Josh was also a very loving young man, very unique in that he really cared about everybody and was always willing to help other people. Coach McCluskey says in his ceremony write up ‘Josh had a faith in God that was rare in a young man of his age’.”

Since her son’s passing, Mrs. Johnson has spearheaded the annual ‘Joshfest’ festivities and repeatedly awarded numerous scholarships to H.M. King athletes. Both the festival and the scholarships serve multiple purposes.

“We want to help people, number one, with college expenses,” Mrs. Johnson said. “But if you have ever lost anybody that you loved, you don’t want them forgotten. Through Joshfest and the scholarships, we are able to honor Josh’s memory in a way that benefits other people at the same time.”

Having lost their only son, the Johnsons have learned to make every single day count.

“What my family has learned is to live every day to the fullest and leave nothing undone,” Mrs. Johnson said. “If there is something you need to say, you say it. If there is something you need to do, you do it.”

Once Number-82 gets taken out of the H.M. King rotation forever, the Johnsons will place it next to another valuable keepsake.

“We already have his basketball jersey (Number-24) which is displayed in our home,” Mrs. Johnson said. “Once his Number-82 is retired, we will place it next to his basketball jersey. Coach Wilcox said there would also be a picture of Josh placed at the high school so all of the athletes there will know the significance of Number-82.”

In keeping her son’s memory alive, Mrs. Johnson has another big vision she would like to bring to fruition.

“Ultimately, the big dream and goal I am trying to work on – I just need $5-$6 million dollars – is to build the Josh Johnson Memorial Football Stadium,” Mrs. Johnson said. “I would like to build it on the facility right by H.M. King, but I’d build it pretty much anywhere they’d let me. Think about what you could do there, you could hold band contests, track meets, Special Olympics and all kinds of things.”

(Participants for the Number-82 ceremony on September 3 will meet at the south end of the football field right before the game starts. A reception for the ceremony’s participants will also be held at the Javelina Stadium Tea Room during halftime. Coaches and teammates of Josh Johnson can contact Twila Johnson at twilajohnson8224@sbcglobal. net).

BRAHMA SEASON TICKETS

August 18 is the last day of availability to purchase season tickets for the upcoming H.M. King High School football campaign. After August 18, tickets will have to be purchased on a week to week basis and away tickets will only be sold the week of the respective game. For more information call 592-6401. ext. athletics.