Saying Goodbye
Jeffrey Johns slipped quietly into heaven in the early morning hours of Sunday, March 1, 2009. Jeffrey passed away in the trauma center at Kern Medical Center from injuries sustained in a tragic accident just hours earlier.
He was surrounded by family and friends who gathered to say their final goodbyes to a vibrant young man who was deeply loved and who will forever remain in their hearts and prayers.
A Beautiful Life
Jeffrey was born in Bakersfield on July 29, 1981, to parents Lori and Tom Johns. He attended Norris Elementary and Middle School and graduated from Garces Memorial High School in 1999.
A gifted athlete, Jeff excelled in both baseball and football. Following in the footsteps of his older brother Drew, he played quarterback and earned MVP honors during his high school career.
After briefly attending college, Jeffrey returned home to Bakersfield where he entered the real estate appraisal business under the mentorship of his father. He later transitioned into the mortgage industry and became a successful loan officer with Countrywide Mortgage.
Life of the Party
Jeff truly was the “life of the party.” His outgoing and fun-loving personality naturally drew people to him, and once you were part of his circle, you became family.
In his spare time, he enjoyed golfing, snowboarding, spending time with Kelly and friends, and cheering on his favorite professional and college football teams.
His Strong Heart Will
Continue to Beat
After Jeffrey’s passing, his family was presented with the opportunity to donate his organs and tissues. Although donation had never been discussed before, it felt like the right thing to do. Jeffrey was a giving person, and they knew that if he had the chance to save someone else’s life, he would have done it in a heartbeat.
Through organ donation, Jeffrey saved the lives of five people in need of transplants and healed more than 50 others through tissue donation. His young and strong heart continues to beat in the chest of someone who now has the opportunity to experience many more sunrises and sunsets.
While Jeff’s boyish smile and infectious spirit are deeply missed, his legacy continues to live on through every life he touched.
Today, Jeffrey’s legacy continues to inspire thousands throughout Kern County to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors — giving hope and the gift of life to others.
His Legacy
In honor of Jeffrey’s gift of life, family and friends came together to create JJ’s Legacy— an organization dedicated to inspiring our community to say “yes” to organ, eye, and tissue donation. Through education, outreach, and community events, JJ’s Legacy continues to support donor families, transplant recipients, and lifesaving programs throughout Kern County. We invite you to join us each April for the annual JJ’s Legacy Gala & Golf Classic each November for our annual Grillin’ and Brewin’ event as we celebrate the gift of life and continue Jeffrey’s legacy of hope. Today, Jeffrey’s legacy continues to inspire thousands throughout Kern County to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors —
giving hope and the gift of life to others.