Baby Blaze Passes Away; Funeral Services Announced

June 21, 2012

Baby Blaze Johnson passed away peacefully Wednesday morning at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.

Thousands came to know Blaze and became a part of “Team Blaze”, following the fight of Blaze Henry Johnson, the young son of Katherine Johnson, an RN at Sacred Heart Hospital, and Chris “Squeaky” Johnson, a news photographer for WEAR TV 3.

In March, Blaze Henry Johnson was born with complications six weeks early and underwent three open heart surgeries at Emory Children’s Hospital in Atlanta. Doctors recently decided that there was nothing more they could do for Baby Blaze, and the family returned to Pensacola.

Katherine held Baby Blaze Wednesday morning in the pediatric intensive care unit at Sacred Heart. As an RN, she knew what she saw on monitor and the flashing lights meant.

“I knew God was calling him to be an Angel up above,” she wrote in a post on the “Baby Blaze Fan Club” Facebook page. “I told him that I loved him…Baby Blaze fought a very tough and hard battle. He was a very strong boy who never gave up even in the end.”

“Blaze went to heaven from the place he loved most, his mommy’s arms,” she wrote. “He is one of the strongest men I know. We love you Blaze and will never forget you.”

In a letter to his son, Chris Johnson wrote:

“I just want to say thank you for choosing me and your mom to be your parents. It has been a blessing to have you with us in this short time. You have been an inspiration to me and your mom, for your continuing perseverance thru all of this…You have taught me what the true meaning of love is, even though we will never hear those words come from your voice, but we can see it in your eyes!!!! We want you to know that we love you with all of our hearts…You were brought to this world for one thing, to save! To save other babies with you pushing the doctors to go above and beyond and you were brought here to bring more people closer to God with all the prayers that are going up for you!!! We could not have asked for a better son!!! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!”

Visitation will be held on Saturday at the Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 6 until 9 p.m. Funeral service will be held on Sunday, June 24 at 2 p.m. at the Flomaton First Baptist Church with Rev. Dustin Stockstill and Dr. Jerry Keese officiating. For the complete obituary, click here.

NorthEscambia.com first introduced our readers to Baby Blaze on May 3. For that article and more about Baby Blaze, click here.



Comments

36 Responses to “Baby Blaze Passes Away; Funeral Services Announced”

  1. Jane on June 24th, 2012 10:05 am

    Maybe God just needed a special angel to keep somebunny company.

  2. grangran on June 23rd, 2012 4:19 pm

    God bless this mom and dad. Heaven was sent one beautiful little angel.

  3. mary baldwin on June 22nd, 2012 11:10 pm

    I too was a follower on Facebook…… my prayers to the entire family of Baby Blaze, i read this and tears flows like rain…..i just want to get in my truck drive to pensacola wake my grands up and just hug them, i am so so sorry for your lost, May GOD be with this family and may He give you the strenght you will need…….

  4. Meagan McKenna on June 22nd, 2012 4:51 pm

    I have been following Baby Blaze since his Facebook page was created and I have enjoyed meeting new people, whom believe!!!!! The people that have renewed their “walk” and came to know Christ, through Baby Blaze is simply amazing! One may question the decision katherine and Chris made but i don’t! Every decision they made for Baby Blaze had God’s hand in it! We will see Blaze again and until then, we can rejoice that he is in the most amazing place, with our Maker! Chris and Katherine, y’all will continue to be in my prayers! Thank you for allowing me and so many others to be part of your precious son’s journey!

  5. sandy mccormick on June 22nd, 2012 12:53 pm

    paryers for squeak and katherine my god bless you rip baby Blaze

  6. Bill & Maryjane Drake,Sr on June 21st, 2012 9:04 pm

    So sorry for your loss. We lost our Great-grandson in Jan & it’s still hard to think about it. Our prayers are with you & your family just remember that God has some plans for you all & that little Blaze is no doubt sitting in our fathers lap now & out of all pain.. Peace be with you//
    God is Good

    Bill & Maryjane in Va.

  7. tiffany hogsef on June 21st, 2012 6:05 pm

    Prayers to u go from us at the hogsed house. My son benjamin had open heart surgery at emory hodpital in atlanta lovr them they done such a good job he was only 6 months old. I have never heard this story til now but I cried like.a baby such dad news but know he wont suffer anymore he’s in good hands lookin down on u guys rach n every day dsyin I love u mommy n daddy. May peace b with ur family will def say a prayer for u guys n the family. I have 3 boys so being a mom it mafe me cry for u guys. So god bless guys

  8. EMD on June 21st, 2012 3:43 pm

    I had not heard of this story before today, and I know neither this baby’s mom or dad, but it made me cry anyway. I pray that they are comforted of God. So sorry.

  9. avalon on June 21st, 2012 2:57 pm

    May the peace, love and assurance of the Holy Spirit surround this family. Baby Blaze you impacted so many lives with your strength and courage.

  10. Cedartown on June 21st, 2012 2:46 pm

    My heart goes out to this FAMILY. May God comfort you in your time of need. RIP BLAZE

  11. Kathy on June 21st, 2012 2:18 pm

    I am so sorry. May God hold you and guide you threw this time. Prayers for your family.

  12. babygirl on June 21st, 2012 12:50 pm

    RIP BABY Blaze … we love you

  13. Cindy Reeves on June 21st, 2012 12:42 pm

    I never got to meet Blaze, but I loved him. I’ve known his dad for many years and respect him more than ever for his courage and faith.

  14. norma ramsey on June 21st, 2012 12:29 pm

    So sorry for your loss, you are in my thoughts & prayers as you go through this tough time, God is taken care of Blaze now, he is an angel in heaven.

  15. Sarah Andrews on June 21st, 2012 11:40 am

    RIP sweet baby Blaze! I pray for your family to find peace during this time. I hope you’re seeing the 1000s you’ve brought together that have followed you and love you!

  16. reader of the news on June 21st, 2012 10:31 am

    Praying for comfort and strength.

  17. Dorie on June 21st, 2012 10:06 am

    I am so sorry for your loss ,we recently lost our granddaughter ,nothing anyone can say will ease your pain ,our hearts are with you ..The Tyree Family

  18. Sommer Lovett on June 21st, 2012 10:06 am

    I am so sorry for your loss. I did not get a chance to meet your son but a friend of mine did and she said he was a very sweet baby. I know god is happy to have such a cute angle with him.. May god be with you and your family in this hard time…

  19. Kelly Powell Waters on June 21st, 2012 9:47 am

    Squeak, Kitty, I’m so sorry for yalls loss, we’re keeping yall in our thoughts and prayers. Remember that Jesus has a rocking chair.

  20. marjane hamilton on June 21st, 2012 9:43 am

    Father i ask that you would comfort Blaze’s mom ,dad and family. I ask that you would bring peace and even joy to their hearts in the midst of the loss of Blaze. God only you can minister to them and I pray that you would bless them in all they have need of.I pray that they draw close to you and that you would speak to their hearts i ask in jesus name

  21. William on June 21st, 2012 9:15 am

    We have had numerous requests for the Baby Blaze Ribbon that is being used by a lot of people on Facebook to remember Baby Blaze. The ribbon is available on our Facebook page:

    http://www.facebook.com/NorthEscambia

    (Make sure you “LIKE” our page while you are there)

  22. OMW2UA on June 21st, 2012 9:11 am

    HEARTS GO OUT TO THE MOTHER AND FATHER, JUST READING THE STORY ON LINE MONTHS ON MY LUNCH BREAK. MY HEART WENT OUT TO THE FAMILY THEN.

  23. Linda on June 21st, 2012 9:01 am

    God will bring you the most comfort and you will bring each other comfort. God blessed you with a precious angel then he called him home. God sure helped me and is still helping me from the loss of my grandbaby. God bless you. You are special people to have been blessed with a special baby.

  24. Robin Dykes on June 21st, 2012 8:48 am

    I am so sorry for your loss. I personally know what you both are going through. I have lost 2 sons. One at birth and one that was 2 months and 22 days old from Sids. I know they are all angels in heaven now. There is nothing more precious and dear than the warm spot they leave in your heart. If either of you need me please feel free tpr look me up on fb or email me. If you would like to call you are more than welcome to do so also. You will never forget the time you shared with him.

  25. Freedom on June 21st, 2012 8:43 am

    This hurts my heart, but at the same time, it makes me smile. His parents kept such strong faith in God through an unthinkable situation. What outstanding examples they are for all of us. May God comfort them now, and give them peace that only He can provide.

  26. Robynn on June 21st, 2012 8:40 am

    Prayers for this young family. It is times like this that I wonder about God’s plan, I know he has one…..but why? I cant imagine what this family went through and what that baby went through. Try to find peace and strengh in those around you who love you, and know your son touched more lives in his short little life than most of do in an entire lifetime.

  27. Amber on June 21st, 2012 8:18 am

    Your story has touched my heart. I am so sorry for the loss of your precious little one. God Bless you both.

  28. Julie Booth-Moran on June 21st, 2012 7:26 am

    Praying for strength and comfort for you both. God bless you.

  29. wendy on June 21st, 2012 7:04 am

    My prayers go out to this family.

  30. shannon on June 21st, 2012 7:01 am

    I am so very sorry to hear the sad news of your sons passing. What an incredable story about the love 2 parents had for their son an also the strong fight this lil man had. Everythin happens for a reason an even if we don’t know the reason now maybe his short life will cause amazin medical feets to happen in the future. Even though his life was short lived his was loved by so many. An he brought out the best in a lot of people an showed that there are a lot of lovin caring ppl in this world. He will be missed but more then that he will definately be remembered. I am prayin for you and your family an all the ppl whose life he touched an will continue touching.

  31. Steve Macks on June 21st, 2012 7:00 am

    So very sad. My thoughts and prayers go out with the family.
    I would like to have the ribbon for my two Facebook pages, So if someone could please send it I would really appreciate it.

    R.I.P Little guy .

  32. Native 1950 on June 21st, 2012 7:00 am

    Little Angels

    When God calls little children to dwell with Him above,
    We mortals sometime question the wisdom of His love.
    For no heartache compares with the death of one small child
    Who does so much to make our world seem wonderful and mild.
    Perhaps God tires of calling the aged to his fold,
    So He picks a rosebud before it can grow old.
    God knows how much we need them, and so he takes but few
    to make the land of Heaven more beautiful to view.
    Believing this is difficult still somehow we must try,
    The saddest word mankind knows will always be ‘Goodbye.”
    So when a little child departs, we who are left behind
    Must realize God loves children, Angels are hard to find.

    ———-

    This poem was an inspiration to me when we lost our son. Keeping you and yours in my thoughts and prayers.

  33. jp on June 21st, 2012 5:52 am

    There is no pain to compare to the loss of a child. It is, without a doubt, the worst
    experience parents can endure. Thankfully, there is a loving God that lost his son as well to comfort us in times of dispare. If not for him, I wouldn’t have survived the loss of mine. God bless this family!

  34. Northview student. on June 21st, 2012 12:29 am

    It breaks my heart to see Somthing like this happen. He was stronger then most men could have ever been. Thoughts and prayers go out to the parents

  35. MolinoMomma on June 21st, 2012 12:19 am

    My heart & prayers go out to them. I lost 2 of my triplets and I know the pain they are feeling. God Bless ya’ll.

  36. Felicia McCaw Jones on June 21st, 2012 12:18 am

    Someone made a ribbon with Blaze’s name on it and a lot of us are changing our profile pics to show our support for this wonderful ANGEL. My heart breaks for Squeak and Katherine. We will be driving in from North Alabama to show our support to his family. Rest in peace little one.