Riley Cole Johnson

Riley Cole Johnson loved his family, his friends, his God, fast cars, and living life to the fullest every day.  Emphasis should be placed on the word “fast.”  He was eager to come into the world, but he needed just the right “mom.”  She had to be young enough to keep up with him as he sped through life.  He chose Cori and then set off to be born with record speed.  They started their journey alone but along the way, at just the right time, Riley got the bonus of the father he needed, a man with a steady hand, who gave loving support, and took the phrase, “provide for the family,” seriously and with purpose.

Riley never slowed down.  He was funny, even in grade school.  Teachers called Cori and begged for her to help them restrain his jokes and laughter as it distracted his classmates.  But, even with the asking, they couldn’t help but smile.

Riley was a self-starter.  He taught himself all about cars by reading everything he could get his hands on.  Cars were his passion.  He started his own car detailing business at 16.  He loved it, and you could see the love in the way he detailed cars.  They were perfect.  You could see it in the joy and pride he took when Ferguson GMC hired him at 18 as a car salesman.  He had a real desk.  He took the training.  Then he took off.  He sold five cars the first week and called all of it a “blessing” and the fulfillment of a dream.  Riley loved music so he taught himself the “guitar” during Covid.  He decided to be “buff”, so he lost weight and worked out regularly.

Riley lit up a room with his smile and his jokes.  The boy could tell a story!  He was described as authentic, kindhearted, brave, and independent.  He had confidence in himself.  He once told his Nana, “I just know things. I’m not bragging. It’s just a fact.”  He backed that statement up with his life.

For Riley, making friends came easy, but he also had a special skill of turning people into life-long besties.  One of Riley’s friends had this to say about Riley to his mom, Cori, “Your son was one of the kindest people I knew.  He would check on me every day when I was having a hard time.  I couldn’t be more grateful that I got to know him.”

Riley recently got to go to Disneyworld with his aunts and Mom.  They laughed until they nearly burst and had all kinds of adventures there.  Riley just returned from a Florida beach vacation with his mom, dad, grandmother, granddad, and all his aunts and his uncle.  On this trip unbeknownst to anyone, Riley rented a moped.  Went on his own adventure, discovered he was lost, and his phone was not charged.  He was thirty miles from the beach house.  Yet he managed to find a little store, buy a charger, and get back home.

Riley had it all, good looks, a magnetic personality, a family who adored him, buddies who were as loyal as your best dog, a first love, a red corvette.  He left the earth doing what he loved.  He went “fast” as if he needed to get to heaven to make sure everything was ready for those he loved.

Riley’s favorite scripture says how deep and personal he held his faith, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18.

Riley Cole Johnson was born on February 28, 2005.  He passed on May 6, 2023.  He is survived by his parents, Cori and Doug Warr, Tanner Turk; grandparents, Sally and Brian Vincent; great grandparents, Virginia and Larry Vincent; stepsister, Lauren Warr; aunts, Bailey Chinwah, Sidney Vincent, Emilie Vincent, Cheryl Vincent, Paula Alfred, Karen Warr; and numerous other family members.

He will remain the shining light in our hearts forever.