Gerald Johnson Jr.

licensed funeral director and owner, The House of Johnson Funeral Home, Detroit, Michigan, died July 31, 2023, at age 68. Johnson studied architecture at Syracuse University before graduating from Wayne State University’s mortuary science program. He worked at Stinson Funeral Home in Detroit as manager of the embalming operation, where he honed his skills. In 1983, he launched his own embalming service and provided service to various funeral homes in the metropolitan area. His motto: “If he has the snap of a finger to work with, the casket will be open.”

Johnson is survived by wife Cheryl; children Emmanuel, David, Mercedes and Dominique, a licensed funeral director with The House of Johnson Funeral Homes; three grandchildren; sisters Elizabeth and Louella; and brother John.