He brought love and laughter to the Harris County Criminal Justice Center for more than a decade. Rick Johnson, known by many as the “Courthouse Candy Man” has died of colon cancer. He was 59 years old.
Johnson died early Thursday morning with his two cousins by his side.
Attorney Vivian King was one of the last to see Johnson. She visited him last night just hours before his death.
“He’s been calling for his mother. He’s been saying, momma, momma,” said King. “It’s heartbreaking, but he’s out of pain and misery.”
King and other attorneys came to know and love Johnson over the years.
They watched him use peanut M&M’s as a platform to turn his life around. He sold the candy and used the sales as an opportunity to socialize with anyone who would listen.
Johnson eventually earned enough money to get his own apartment.
“Who else is going to scream our name and force us to pay attention and to love him. He made us love him, and we loved him until the end,” said King.
A growing memorial of flowers, messages and M&Ms now marks the spot where Johnson stood every day.
People stopping by throughout the day said they were “heartbroken” and “saddened” to learn that Johnson won’t be returning.
“There are other attorneys that pass away that we don’t get as emotional about as we are with Rick,” said attorney Tony Wadhawan. “He wasn’t here asking for a handout. That’s what I want everyone to know about Rick.”
Johnson told KHOU 11 News last week that the best memories of his life happened outside the courthouse.
He acknowledged the grim reality of his diagnosis.
“I may never recover,” he said. “I wish there was a way to turn back the hands of time so we can start over again.”
Attorneys tracked down Johnson after he stopped showing up to the courthouse at the end of the summer.
They raised more than $30,000 for him.
A memorial service is now being planned for next Friday at Saint John’s United Methodist Church.
Memorial grows for "candy man" Rick Johnson, a fixture at the courthouse. He died of cancer early this morning w/ family by his side #khou11 pic.twitter.com/Qh5qtnKgZU
— Drew Karedes (@DrewKaredesKHOU) December 8, 2016
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