Obituary of Tarik Kairi Johnson, Sr.

Tarik Kairi Johnson was born at Kew Gardens General Hospital in Queens, New York on a rainy Sunday afternoon, January 9, 1972, to Joyce Gray Johnson and Tarlton Ronaldo Johnson, Jr. He was the first grandchild born to Alfred and Bertha Gray and Olivia Johnson. Tarik began his education in the Riverhead, NY Public School system and at the age of nine, moved with his mother to Alexandria, VA, where he continued his studies in the Alexandria City Public School system. Tarik was a very bright young man and although he was an excellent student, he tired of attending school daily and left school at the start of nineth grade. Several months later, he entered a program that required him to study for his GED. He took a pre-test to identify any weak areas or which subjects needed the most concentration. After studying for three weeks, he passed a pre-test and was immediately scheduled to take the exam. He then passed the exam with points to spare, receiving a high school diploma without ever attending high school. Tarik spent a lot of time in the kitchen observing and commenting on whatever his grandmother and other relatives were cooking. This sparked his interest in cooking, and he decided to attend Stratford College to study culinary arts. After culinary school, Tarik worked in several restaurants as well as a private chef for some of his friends. He also taught others how to prepare meals. Indeed, he gave his mother tips on how not to overcook salmon on the grill. Tarik had many talents. He was a prolific writer of hip-hop/rap music and would often go into the studio with his friends and create demo tapes. They often performed at parties. He was also a skilled artist and spent time creating cartoon characters, just for fun. He was very knowledgeable, well-read, and loved to strike up a conversation with someone, including strangers. As a classmate, he often helped his friends with their homework. He was a kind and loyal friend. One of the happiest days in his life was May 3, 2000, the day his son, Tarik Kairi Brown Johnson, was born to him and Cynthia Brown. Tarik departed this life on October 12, 2023. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Alfred and Bertha Gray, his paternal grandmother, Olivia Johnson, and his cousin, Melissa Leonard, and one of his best friends, Charles "Big Supreme" Coles. He leaves to cherish loving and sweet memories; mother, Joyce Gray Johnson, father, Tarlton Ronaldo Johnson, Jr., son; Tarik Kairi Brown Johnson, and bonus son, Tavon Houston, brothers; Tarlton Johnson,III (Danelle), Clifford Kennedy, five uncles; Theophilus Gray (April), Patrick Gray (Denise), Alfred Gray, Ricky Gray (Kisha), Earl Gray (Erin), three aunts; Angela Leonard, Stephanie Carter (Darnell), Sharon Bonds, nieces; Sydney and Blake Johnson, Alyce Kennedy; a host of cousins, special friends; Betty Gibson-Spinner, Cynthia Brown, several devoted and long-standing friends -- many since childhood; Luther Murphy, Rahshan Muhamma, Anthony "Scientific" Hillard, Dwayne Coles, Anthony "Blackman" Ward, Samuel "Supreme" Aples, Donna Roy, Arthur Diaz, Black Destiny, Born Magnificent, Otis Carter, and supportive friend; Rita Rush. We realize there are many friends who loved and care for Tarik that are missing from the list above because contacts were lost over time. Please share this program with all those that knew him. Tarik, we love you and will always remember and cherish your love for us. Mom, Little Tarik, family, and friends Acknowledgements The family of Tarik Kairi Johnson, Sr., would like to thank everyone for all the special acts of kindness, your calls, cards, prayers, visits during our time of bereavement. May God Bless you and His love be yours to share.