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OUR DAD
John Leonard Johnson aka Len to his friends sadly
died on the 7th October 2006 aged 64 years old
He was the father to Simon, Stephanie, Richard, Lyndsey
and Tristan
Grandfather to Sarah, Richard, Lauren, Mark, Charlotte,
Devon, Ethan and Ellie
Life as a Johnson wasn't easy for the children growing up
with estranged parents, our mother left us when we were
all quite young and our father tried his hardest to bring
us up as best he could.
Dad wasn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination and
did something's which left lasting emotional scars on us
children but in later life he did realise the error of
his ways and tried his hardest to make amends in his own
way.
Putting all our problems aside Dad was a loving and supportive parent
who always provided for his family
The family unit as a whole split over the years with us
children having families of our own and moving on to lead
separate lives, the sad thing is it took Dads death to
bring us back together, some would say that some good has
come from his departure!!!
When hearing the news of Dads death it seem to bring us
all back together with one purpose to give Dad the
sending off he deserved
Simon, Richard and Tristan carried their father into the
Chapel for his funeral which took place on the 18th
October, this was a sad but also a happy occasion as we
said goodbye to our Dad we remembered the good times and
even managed to raise a smile or two.
We decided not to have the traditional wake after the
funeral but instead decided to give Dad the sending off
he would of loved, His children took him to one of his
favourite places "Severn Valley Railway" where
we had arranged to have his ashes put into the engine of
a steam train that would carry his children on a trip
between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth
We arrived at the Severn Valley Railway on the 19th
November at 10am ready to let Dad have his last trip on
the trains that he loved as a Child right up to his
twilight years.
We met the Train Driver who suggested the best place to
lay Dad to rest which was Victoria Bridge that runs over
the river Severn it was a perfect place where we could
come and visit again
The Driver asked if one of us would like to ride the
train (in the engine) whilst we put the ashes in the
engine, I said I would like to do this as I felt that my
brothers had carried him to his Funeral that it was
fitting for his eldest Daughter to take him to his final
steps
These are pictures of the Train that took Dad on his
final journey
The Pannier 1501, quite a special steam train as there were only about
ten of them ever made
Now the Official head of the family Pauline a much loved
friend and soul mate to our Dad along with his children
and grand children boarded the 10.45am train to say our
final goodbye to Dad, the Severn Valley Railway arranged
for us to have the first coach closest to the engine so
we could have our own private goodbye, the train left the
station and headed on its way we stopped at Bewdley
station and I got off to take Dad to his final resting
place as we headed towards the Victoria Bridge they
slowed the train right down and as the Fireman put Dad
into the fire they let 3 long toots on the whistle to
signal to the family to say goodbye we all through yellow
roses out of the windows and said our final Farewell to
our DAD
It was a magical day even though it was sad it was also a
day we will never forget, Dad got his final ride on a
train and although he never got to drive one he did get
the ultimate which was to fuel one.
The train stopped at the final station Bridgnorth and we all got off
took a long walk into the town and found a nice pub to have a nice
family lunch together then we walked back to the station and boarded a
return train to
take us back to Kidderminster
RIP Dad in life you made mistakes but always tried to
make amends but in Death you brought a family back
together
You were loved and always will be
See you on the other side of the track
Loving children
Simon, Steph, Richard, Lyndsey and Tristan
Sleep tight
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TRIBUTE TO
DAD
