Howard Keith Johnson, age 70 years, of Plainfield, NJ, formerly of Newark, NJ, died peacefully on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, after a long illness at Overlook Medical Center, Summit, NJ, with his devoted wife and caregiver, Joyce, by his side.

Born in Newark, NJ Howard was the son of Helen Ann Johnson (Sergeon) and Herbert Johnson Sr. He graduated from Weequahic High School and went on to attend Middlebury College and Rutgers University. In 1986, Howard joined the East Orange Police Dept, where he served for eight years as a police officer, until he became a criminal investigator for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office in 1994. Howard served proudly as a county detective until his retirement in 2011.

Through the years, Howard who had played football and fenced in high school returned to his alma mater and coached the Weequahic football team. This, along with watching westerns, the Giants football team, and car shows brought him joy. He was avid listener to jazz and audio books.  Howard loved trying new cuisines, but nothing beat ribs, fried chicken, and German chocolate cake!

The past six years challenged the Johnson family as Howard developed an illness, and it completely changed their lives. Howard was fortunate to have been taken care of so diligently by his wife and children who made sure he had what he needed to get through some periods of profound difficulty. As Isaiah 40:29-31 says, “They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings.”

Howard was predeceased by his parents, Helen and Herbert Johnson, and his son Jamal Gordon. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Joyce Travers Johnson, his children Matthew, Ian, Dalys, and Jordan and grandson Jaiden Gordon. Also surviving are brothers Charlie Outlaw (Grace) and Herbert Johnson Jr, sisters-in-law Angela Berry (Darrell), Stacey Neloms (Hank), and Geni Travers, his uncle Martin Sergeon, nephews Keteven, Daniel, niece Hannah, and several cousins and extended family.

Howard loved schmoozing with everyone and greeting them with a smile as he directed traffic in the church parking lot. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to the Oasis Christian Church Parking Lot Fund.

Family and friends will gather on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 11:00-11:45 a.m., at Oasis Christian Center, 2052 St. Georges Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07065, 732-499-0040.