Gerald Johnson
Gerald Johnson died of COVID on July 5, 2020 while incarcerated at San Quentin. He was 63.
Mr. Gerald
By Steven Owens
Through the years I’ve known Gerald he was always a good guy willing to give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. Gerald was a Diabetic whom could not for the life of GOD give his self his own shot of insulin; the nurse would have to come out the booth and give him his shot and we and him would just laugh about it.
Gerald was the type of guy that almost all the time had what you may be looking for. He would say: they let us have it I might have it, if you can’t have it I do not have it. I and he would just laugh. I think Gerald served in the military. He worked in the kitchen as the lead clerk: he would always say I finally got them to put raisin in your oatmeal.
Gerald was the all around good guy whom everyone whom encountered him miss him. Gerald was an all around good guy.
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This was transcribed by MOL team member Caroline Harlow, with help of MOL team members Brian Asey.
Memories of Gerald
by Eric Phillips
He was a clerk in the morning kitchen, and he was a good-natured, positive individual. He was well-liked and an everyday good dude. He was also a diabetic.”
Gerald
By Nate C.
Gerald was a good friend of mine. I use to call him “graddy” from good times (who stole my daddy records) is what I would say to him whenever I saw him. I had the fortunate pleasure of meeting Gerald’s wife, daughter and grandson when I worked visiting, he loved his family and they loved him very much. Gerald was funny and boy could he eat. The S.Q. community was shocked and saddened when hearing of Gerald’s passing due to Covid-19, he surely will be missed by all his family and friends. Rest in peace “graddy.”
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This memorial was transcribed by MOL team member Caroline Harlow, with help of MOL team member Brian Asey.
Article Remembering Gerald Johnson and Darrell Gautt
by MOL San Quentin Organizer Juan Moreno Haines
Dennis Jefferson is a peer-educator in the San Quentin State Prison community. He serves other San Quentin residents through a highly touted self-help program, Guiding Rage Into Power (GRIP).
GRIP takes participants on a healing journey deep inside themselves to come back transformed and ready to serve others. From the program, Jefferson learned how to be non-judgmental, which allowed him to find friends everywhere. The Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, however, has estranged Jefferson from serving Darrell A. Gautt and being a friend to Gerald Edward Johnson, after they died from the virus.
“Gerald was ‘good trouble,’ a rascal, profane, irreverent and bombastic. I wouldn’t think these characteristics were compatible with kindness, but underneath the gruff, Gerald had a huge heart,” Jefferson said.
Referring to Gautt, Jefferson added, “Darrell was reserved, approachable, humorous, compassionate and generous. I watched how he carried himself at church and in GRIP. It was no surprise when I found out he was a veteran.”
Jefferson talked about Gautt’s influence on other GRIP participants.
“His shares reflected his history with family, dysfunction, crisis and trauma,” Jefferson said. “We’d only completed half the cycle before we were shut down. But, when Darrell spoke, he had the attention of the room. There was a solemn hush — even Jacques (Verduin) [GRIP executive director] leaned in.”
Jefferson added, “Faith, Jesus Christ, forgiveness, redemption, and humility were important to Darrell. While most of us are here for irresponsible choices, those same residents have life lessons of wisdom to grace us with.”
Jefferson took notice of Gautt while attending The Garden Chapel for Christian services.
“Those who sit in the front rows are laser focused, singularly attentive to the message of Jesus Christ,” Jefferson said. “By sitting that close to the pulpit, I characterized Darrell’s relationship ith his Savior as reverent and hopeful. I”m positive they are together now.”
Jefferson talked about his friendship with Johnson.
“My relationship with Gerald was welcoming, inviting, and warm,” Jefferson said. “Gerald helped me cut through the tribalism found in the chow hall seating arrangements. When I arrived to San Quentin in 2014, I sought out my long-term spot in the dining hall. I kept striking out until I was introduced to Gerald, who received me enthusiastically. He didn’t ask me ‘Where you from?’ He didn’t care and that says a lot.”
Jefferson recalled a violence prevention program he and Johnson partook in 2015.
“When he was forced to share, he had a surprising reaction,” Jefferson said. “Public speaking in front of strangers was his Achilles’ Heel. His hands would shake, sweating, and wavering voice — but he got through it. It confirms that ou core fears and vulnerabilities disguise themselves in bravado.”
Jefferson said that Johnson also shared “so much” about his sisters, wife, and daughter.
“My relationship with Gerald was uneasy laughter and concern,” Jefferson said when commenting on Johnson’s health challenges. “I knew some of his eating habits weren’t helpful, but people are set in their ways.”
