Bruce Johnson

Bruce Johnson III was born to Bruce Johnson Jr. and Dorothy Lucille Johnson on May 2, 1977. After many years of struggling with asthma, Bruce or “Savage,” as he was fondly known was called home on Tuesday, August 20, 2002. At the time of his death, Bruce was employed as a security officer, the line of work in which he had began in 1995. Bruce attended private schools up to the eighth grade; he was very bright, sociable and well liked. In high school he attended Baltimore City Schools. He was studying business to enhance his skills and to prepare for success in the music world. In childhood Bruce was a Boy Scout and a student of martial arts. Having attended classes at the Maryland Institute of Art, he was also an excellent artist who could produce extremely lifelike caricatures. In his youth Bruce played football, lifted weights and became interested in politics and the condition of disadvantaged people. It was here that he began to read widely. Bruce loved history and would study, especially about Native American culture, the plight of African Americans and their struggle. Once he embraced his Native American heritage, he became and activist in Native American cultural affairs and was highly involved in connecting it with black identity. He was an associate of the Baltimore Indian Center. Many Native Americans visited his home for fellowship. Bruce was also talented, possessed a brilliant mind, had a good heart, and was known for giving advice to friends. He served as a leader and a mentor to people of all ages. Feeling the need to inform his people, Bruce wrote raps songs about the condition of people of color. He felt a strong sense of responsibility to tell people about the predicament of the indigenous and African Americans; he would express his beliefs concerning them to everyone.Among his peers, Bruce was a philosopher, a politician and a diplomat-strong and independent. He was self-sufficient yet had the ability to get along with people from all walks of life. He was very protective of his family and anyone he loved.He leaves to cherish his memory: his father, Bruce Johnson Jr.; his mother, Dorothy Johnson; sister, Traci Johnson; brother, Russell Griffin; sister, Valerie Griffin; two aunts, Rev. Sybil Johnson and Myra Baylor; one uncle, Arnold Johnson; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Tributes

Bruce Johnson

May 2, 1977 - August 20, 2002