Roy Andrew Johnson, Jr. was born August 19, 1936 to Roy and Florence Johnson in Chicago, Illinois. He was reared in Bensenville, Illinois, where he attended a two-room school through grade four, was baptized as a believer at the First Baptist Church of Elmhurst, graduated from Bensenville Community High School fourth in his class. In grammar school, he played trumpet; in high school, he was first chair horn in the marching band as well as accompanist for the choir. His piano studies began in Chicago at age 12 with Italian immigrant Carlo Della Nina, who encouraged and nurtured him. At the urging of Carlo, he attended the Collegio di Musica, Rome, Italy, for intensive piano study, solfeggio and Italian. In 1955, he enrolled as an organ major in the Sacred Music program at Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, where he studied with Preston Rockholt and Robert Rayfield. He continued study at the University of Michigan, majoring in organ performance, completing the B.M. (Robert Noehren), M.M. (Robert Glasgow) and the D.M.A. (Marilyn Mason) degrees. Roy and Dusty met at the Englewood Presbyterian Church, Chicago, when he was employed as organist and where she sang in the choir. They were married March 28, 1960 in Chicago and were joyously blessed with two children, both born in Ann Arbor, MI: Eric David, organ technician and builder; and Jennifer Anne, legislative counsel with the AZ State Legislature. Roy's professional career began while he was in high school when he became choir accompanist and Sunday evening pianist at his church. While pursuing degrees at the University of Michigan, he was employed as organist and organist-choirmaster in several churches, thus supporting his studies and family. He began his career at the University of Arizona in 1966. Over the course of 29 years, he was promoted to full professor with tenure, taught organ, music theory, counterpoint, hymnody and other courses. As Director of Graduate Studies in Music, a position he held for eight years, he advised and counseled all graduate students in music shepherding them towards their degrees--always with encouragement, a smile and concern for their welfare. Roy served on numerous School of Music and University committees, often as chair. His research interests focused mainly on early Italian organ literature and he spent two sabbaticals in Italy. But his passion and joy was the practice of his art: organ performance. He performed in many cities in the U.S. as well as Europe, one of the most special being in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, when he was the only western organist invited to perform in an organ recital series held in the city's cathedral in the then-communist country. He was a remarkable man, an artist, a deeply caring person, a man of great faith. He was tragically cut down on February 28, 1995, by a senseless act of violence which has snuffed out a beautiful light in a seemingly dark world, taking from us a man whose gentleness, wit and extraordinary talent touched the lives of all who knew him. We have suffered a grievous loss and will mourn you deeply, Roy, but we take solace in the sure belief that God has borne you to Paradise on the wings of His holy angels. Soli Deo Gloria Prelude Prelude in f minor Bach Schmuecke dich, O liebe Seele Brahms O Wie Selig seid ihr doch, ihr Frommen Brahms O Welt, ich muss dich lassen Brahms Chorale in b minor Franck Alle Menschen muessen sterben Bach Jesu, meine Freude Bach Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland Bach Processional: Awake the Trumpet's Lofty Sound Handel Scripture Dr. Andrew Ross Call to Worship Dr. Andrew Ross Anthem: Lacrymosa Mozart Prayer Dr. Richard Rowley *Hymn: O God Our Help in Ages Past (see insert) Old Testament Lessons Psalms 27, 33: 1-5 & 18-22, 130 Solo: Thy Holy Wings Swedish Grayson Hirst, Tenor New Testament Lessons Dr. Richard Rowley Romans 8:31-39 First Corinthians 15:50-58 Anthems: Introit and Kyrie, In Paradisum Faure Rest eternal grant them, Lord our God, we pray to thee and light perpetual forever shine on them. Hear us, Lord, hear thy servant's prayer. Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison God's holy angels lead you to paradise; may saints in their glory receive you at your journey's end, Guiding your footsteps into the holy city Jerusalem. Choirs of angels sing you to your rest; and with Lazarus raised to eternal life may you forever rest in peace. Homily Dr. Andrew Ross *Hymn: Children of the Heavenly Father (see insert) Swedish Eulogy and Remembrances Dr. Mark Koehler Anthem: How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place Brahms Prayer Dr. Andrew Ross *Hymn: Now Thank We All Our God (see insert) *Commendation and Benediction Dr. Andrew Ross Recessional: Poeme Heroique Dupre Postlude: St. Anne fugue Bach *Congregation Standing ------------------------------------INSERT------------------------------------ PSALM 90:1-5 O God, Our Help in Ages Past St. Anne Issac Watts Attr. William Croft O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast And our eternal home. Before the hills in order stood Or earth received her frame, From everlasting thou art God, To endless years the same. A thousand ages in Thy sight Are like an evening gone; Short as the watch that ends the night Before the rising sun. Children of the Heavenly Father Lina Sandell, 1832-1903 TRYGGARE KAN INGEN VARA 8.8.8.8. Tr. Ernst W. Olson, 1870-1958 Swedish Folk Melody, 1874 Children of the heav'nly Father Safely in his bosom gather; Nestling bird nor star in heaven Such a refuge e're was given God his own doth tend and nourish, In his holy courts they flourish; From all evil things he spares them, In his mighty arms he bears them Neither life nor death shall ever From the Lord his children sever; Unto them his grace he showeth, And their sorrows all he knoweth. Praise the Loard in joyful numbers, Your Protector never slumbers; At the will of your Defender Ev'ry foeman must surrender. Though he giveth or he taketh, God his children ne'er forsaketh; His the loving purpose solely To preserve them pure and holy. Now Thank We All Our God nun danket alle Gott Martin Rinkart Johann Crueger Now thank we all our God With hearts and hands and voices Who wondrous things hath done, In whom his world rejoices; Who, from our mothers' arms, Hath blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today. O may this bounteous God Thru all our life be near us, With ever joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us; And keep us in his grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all ills In this world and the next. Pall Bearers Rex Binnie, John Cheek, Gary Cook, Edward Murphy, Robert Sankey, Marshall Warden Our deepest an sincerest gratitude is extended to all who so freely gave of their time and talents to participate in this service honoring Roy's memory-- each singer, each organist, each instrumentalist, each volunteer. Each of you were in some way touched by or had been a part of Roy's life. Thank you especially to Joan Ashcraft, Libbie Ervin, Maurice Skones and John Neve for their kindness in coordinating the music. The outpouring of love and caring at this dark time touches our hearts very tenderly. Dusty, Eric and Jennifer and all the members of Roy's family ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dear Stardust, God be in your head, And in your understanding. God be in your eyes And in your looking. God be in your mouth And in your speaking. God be in you heart And in your thinking. God be at your end And at your departing. Sarum Primer From Roy Christmas 1967