Eric Steven Johnson

Mr. Eric Johnson Obituary The life journey of Eric Steven Johnson, the first child and only son born to Ronald and Gwendolyn Johnson, began October 20, 1953, in Cleveland, Ohio. From an early age, Eric exhibited passion for many things from track to photography. He met each passion with immense commitment and tireless devotion to developing the skills he needed to excel. When he fell in love with photography, he willingly gave up the playground for the darkroom. Defined as resilient, even in childhood, Eric was unafraid to tackle even the largest obstacles. He was an energetic youth who cherished his friendships, many of which persisted into adulthood. Eric was a proud graduate of the Shaker Heights High School Class of 1972 and would later study psychology at Morehouse College in Atlanta. His deep desire for adventure and pursuit of entrepreneurial freedom prevented him from completing a degree; however, he was proud to claim the honorary Ph.D. he earned in life. Upon returning to Ohio, Eric focused his energy on developing his photography career. He opened a photography studio in downtown Cleveland and collaborated with friends to establish a fashion production company called Models of Taste in Fashion (MOTIF), which ignited his love for the fine and performing arts. Eric eventually embarked upon a cross-country trip to California in search of a life by his own design. The things he saw, the relationships he built and the freedom he felt would shape the man he became and embolden the creative spirit that he brought to every encounter, whether personal or professional. The change in scenery enabled Eric’s soul to speak — and the message he received was to return to his roots and find his purpose. Back in Cleveland, his new philosophy was “You have to give it away in order to keep it.” For Eric, that meant you had to serve your community in order to truly prosper. He and his mother, Gwen, opened GERIC Home Health Care, which won an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the area of social responsibility. It became an extended family affair, with divisions spanning Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. GERIC’s success allowed Eric to expand his vision into other industries: retail (Zone 1 Shoes) and fine arts (Acting Out Performing Arts Studio). Eric was a true visionary, fueled by his creativity and his belief that there wasn’t anything that he couldn’t make better. He often described himself as “the straw that stirs the drink” to exemplify his need to be in the mix in order to produce the finest blend. When GERIC closed, Eric found himself at another crossroads. He ventured to Chicago to manage a close friend’s trucking company, and it was there he realized he could no longer deny his true calling: filmmaking. He and his son-in-law, Kirk, embarked on a project that would become the highlight of Eric’s life and a legacy for others to finish. Eric immersed himself in the city’s homeless community in hopes of telling their story through film. The project eventually took him back to California, where he spent endless hours living on the beach by day and filming the homeless by night. He called this his “early retirement,” and it was truly his heaven on earth. But Eric willingly returned to the health care sector when his sister Joni called to ask for his help in growing her multidisciplinary medical practice. His biggest impact on the practice — which supported individuals with neurodevelopmental issues such as ADHD, autism and learning problems — was his commitment to sharing his life experiences with at-risk adolescents. As a relatable and empathetic advocate and mentor, he extended this commitment beyond the practice and into the community. Eric encouraged his sister to step outside of clinical medicine to embrace activism through community service and outreach. He was also instrumental in developing a cognitive athletic company and a nonprofit organization that allowed him to combine his love of the performing arts with his desire to “give back” to those in need. For Eric, no matter the challenge or success, it always came back to the foundation of family and friends. He was a great son, brother, father, uncle and friend. Along with his sister Ronna, he took pride in caring for their mother and saw it as a privilege rather than a sacrifice. He was devoted to his daughter, Erika, and the growth and development of his five grandchildren. Eric was a firm believer in divine intervention and allowing God to measure his steps. He had recently begun planning the next steps on his journey — a new home health care venture and finishing his documentary — but God had other plans. As Eric ascends, he leaves behind his loving mother, Gwendolyn Johnson; daughter, Erika Rose Barron; son-in-law, Kirk Barron; grandchildren Caleb, Judah, Noah, Malachi and Alena; sisters Ronna McNair and Dr. Joni Johnson; brother-in-law, Darrell McNair; nieces and nephews Ariel McNair, Austin McNair, Robyn Peterson, Avery Johnson-Edmonds and Syndee Johnson-Edmonds; and a host of loving friends and extended family. May he rest in peace, power and purpose. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eric Steven Johnson, please visit our floral store. Read More

Eric Steven Johnson

October 20, 1953 - March 10, 2021