On January 11, 1956, in Miami, Florida, the late Albert and Hattie Johnson were blessed with a son, Richard Tyrone Johnson Sr. He experienced a joyful childhood surrounded by manyfriends and neighbors in Liberty City.

Richard was an easy going and jovial man. He attended Holmes Elementary, Dorsey Junior High, and Miami Northwestern Senior High School, where he excelled as a versatile athlete. Richard established numerous track and field records at Miami Northwestern and nationally, with several remaining unmatched until recent years. Following high school, he enrolled at Texas Southern University on a full track and field scholarship. Richard's aspirations as an athlete for the 1984 Summer Olympics were altered significantly due to sporting injuries and the death of his father a few years before.

Richard cherished his robust, devout family. He appreciated the companionship of family and friends during gatherings. He was consistently recognized as the taste-tester for his mother's several delectable foods and his sister Brenda's potato salad, fried chicken, and banana pudding. (aggravating the cook's nerves, amusingly), you had to be acquainted with Richard!

He embraced Christ as his Lord and Savior at a young age and became a member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Overtown, where his grandfather, the late Jazzy Bell Williams, was a founding member under the pastoral leadership of the late Thedford Johnson. Despite never changing his membership from St. John, Richard frequently attended services at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and Peaceful Zion Missionary Baptist Church with his godmother, Frances Nash.

Richard was employed at All Orthopedic Appliances (AOA) until the company's relocation to Greensboro, South Carolina. He was also employed at Rudy's Records and Tapes as a stereo technician until the establishment ceased operations.

Richard transitioned from this life on February 27, 2025.