Richard "Rick" Carlton Johnson Jr.'s Obituary
Richard “Rick” Carlton Johnson, Jr, of Lewes, Delaware, passed away unexpectedly, peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at the age of 65.
Rick is survived by his husband, John Zingo; his siblings Michael, Bill (Kay Cross), Mary (Tim Hughes), Shawn (Sabine); his numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and -nephews; John’s mother, Rose Zingo; John’s siblings: Donna Smith, Sam (Helen), Loretta (Barry Hess) Joe (Loretta) and many nieces, nephews and grand-nieces, -nephews, and many wonderful and thoughtful neighbors and friends.
Born in Fargo, North Dakota, his parents, the late Richard C. Johnson, Sr. and late Dorothy Sams, Rick was the oldest of five children. Rick’s family moved every couple of years throughout the United States and Canada, due to his father’s employment. They finally settled in San Antonio, Texas, where Rick went to the University of Texas.
Rick met the love of his life, when John was on a business trip in San Antonio, almost 25 years ago. Their love story only grew stronger, and Rick moved to New Jersey in 2000. Their joint love of the beach and ocean communities brought them to Rehoboth Beach in 2005 and then to Lewes, Delaware, in 2020.
When thinking of Rick, everyone agrees that “Mr. Power Tools” should have been his nickname as he owned just about every tool ever invented. Twice. And in some instances, three times. He could use, and he did use each and every one of them, although, if not in their home, then in someone else’s, while helping a friend and neighbor with a project.
When not working inside at their new home, or outside in the garden, pool area or patio, Rick could be found in Lowes or “The Other Store” (Home Depot!) performing his daily ritual of checking out the clearance aisles for sales. He found amazing bargains every day and if he didn’t need something on the clearance shelf that day, that never mattered. He would buy the item just in case someone else needed it. Way before he started his post-retirement job in the Lewes Lowes several years ago, Rick was on a first name basis with all of the employees there. He was really looking forward to getting a part-time job once he turned 65 because he was not “busy enough.”
Rick will be remembered by his family and friends each and every day with respect and love. He is unforgettable and he was one of the kindest persons that one had the privilege of meeting and knowing. His infectious laugh and “Texas” giggle were only silenced when Rick was working in his new shed, in the backyard and garden. The minute, though, anyone stopped by to say hello, Rick would take a break from his task at hand and talk and catch up with all of his neighbors and friends. He waved at everyone going by. Rick truly loved being outside and he always had to be doing something, never one to sit still at all or to idle. His “To Do’” List was never ending and if he ever needed something “to do” he would tackle someone else’s “To Do” list- always ready, willing, and able to help everyone do anything and everything.
To call Rick a neat freak would be putting it mildly. Everything had a place- in their home, garden, garage, and in his new tool shed. He really loved to tidy up; to dust and to vacuum. “Buy bleach” was on the top of his weekly shopping list.
Second to his love of John, was Rick’s love of travel, especially international travel. Honoring his wanderlust though, was short lived once they got to their destination as after six days, Rick was ready to move on and to go home as he was always thinking of what he needed to do once he got back. On trips, he was already thinking of all of the chores that he did not do while away and he couldn’t wait to return home to catch up. He loved his short road trips and would love to visit family and friends. He would stop by their homes to fix something, even if they weren’t home!
Rick’s mind never turned off, even when powering down to go to sleep as he loved his Bush Man games and cat emoji’s. Rick truly enjoyed scary and outrageously ridiculous stuff and especially science fiction movies and tv shows. Other than HGTV, one of the few other channels that Rick watched was MeTv- showing all the old TV shows; Lost in Space, Time Tunnel, Land of the Giants and of course, the Airplane Disaster shows.
Rick was a devoted son to his mom, Dorothy, calling her multiple times a day, and visiting her daily especially after she relocated to Delaware after his stepfather, Gene Sams, passed away.
Rick and John loved to entertain family and friends and he loved giving home and garden tours of the homes they had in Rehoboth Beach and Lewes. In fact, they moved to a larger house in Lewes, not only to be closer to John’s mom and family, but to create a family compound where all the nieces and nephews and cousins could come together to swim, play games, grow up and to be a truly close family. They all thought of Rick as their son, brother, and uncle.
Rick loved animals, growing up with several dogs and cats. Together, Rick and John had three “children.” Their current “children,” are Dixie Doodles and Lionel. Their first dog, Brittney, welcomed Rick to heaven. Dixie Doodles and Lionel already miss their dad.
Rick’s career was in hotel hospitality, working for several major hotel chains. There isn’t a city in the U.S. and Canada, that Rick couldn’t say, “I opened a hotel here in …. add the year.” For many years, Rick was a Board member of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International, (HSMAI), a group “committed to growing business for hotel business for hotels and their partners…. providing hotel professionals and partners with tools, insights, and expertise…to grow the hotel industry.” Yup... providing more “tools” to help his industry partners build up hotels. Rick was also active in Black Tie International, Rehoboth/Lewes chapter.
Rick and his friends in San Antonio, Texas, wanted to honor and to provide support and resources for their friends and neighbors who were affected and who passed due to HIV/AIDS. In 1986, they began an annual WEBB party event festival to raise money for the San Antonio AIDS Foundation. The WEBB Party became the official “Fiesta” event in San Antonio in 2004 and to this day, is one of the biggest social fund-raising events in San Antonio.
John and Rick would have celebrated their 25th anniversary together this September. They were officially married on September 20, 2014, in Rehoboth Beach in front of their loving family and many friends. J&R, as they are affectionally known by all, loved and supported each other and were the perfect team and loving couple together.
An experienced electrician, lighting up their homes, especially during Christmas time, Rick made sure that there were lights and spotlights everywhere - guiding locals through their community.
The lights in “The Ridings” community as well as in all of our lives will be forever dimmed.
Rest in peace, Rick. Your light will brighten the skies with your smile and laughter every day. We know you are watching over all of us, lighting our paths.
If you would like to make a memorial contribution in honor of Rick’s memory, the family requests that you donate to your charity of choice.
A celebration of Rick’s life will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 11:00 AM, at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE 19958, where friends and family may visit beginning at 10:00 AM.
All unable to attend the services are invited to join the service via livestreaming by visiting the following link: http://www.parsellfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/permalink/11318726/LTWebcast.
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE DELIVER ALL ARRANGEMENTS BY 3:00 PM ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2024, TO OUR LEWES LOCATION.
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