Bryan in Music


A self-described tortured poet, Bryan loved nothing more than to write and create poetry and music. Bryan's passion and honesty come through in his original songs.

Bryan in Photos


Never shy of the camera, film has documented the trials and tribulations of Bryan's life.

Bryan on Video


Bryan was the ultimate prankster, and loved more than anything to make people laugh, even at their own expense.

Bryan Online


Bryan enjoyed expressing himself, as well as keeping in touch with family and friends on his MySpace page.

Bryan also maintained a MySpace page for his band, Nü View, where he displayed his music and opened his heart for the world to read.
On April 20th, 1981 at 10:54am at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, MN, a son was born. On this Monday morning proud parents Gregory and Cathrine Johnson introduced Bryan Gregory to the world. A happy baby, Bryan captured hearts immediately with his chubby cheeks and big smile.

Bryan grew up in Eden Prairie, MN with his older brother Shawn. Bryan looked up to big brother Shawn and followed him through lifes endeavers,
including sports such as baseball. The Johnson family often spent time at the family cabin in Emily, MN where Bryan and Shawn enjoyed fishing, boating and swimming together.

Bryan attended elementary school at the Maranatha Christian Academy in Edina, MN, and in the 8th grade migrated to Central Middle School. A year later he proudly graduated to high school, graduating in the class of 2000.

After high school Bryan attended Normandale Community College for 2 years, obtaining training which allowed him to work at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota and Merrick, Inc. where he provided care for autistic and mentally disabled adults. Bryan truly loved working with the disabled, and it is testament to the size of his heart that he chose the career path that he did. He was a person who truly had compassion and love for everyone, and never judged anyone from the outside in.

As Bryan matured his love for artistic expression began to flourish. He soon discovered his true passion was music, and music became an integral part of his life. His love for music had no boundaries, any genre was fair game. Bryan was a true fan of artistic expression, and decided it was time to participate. Bryan and friend Daniel Nelson formed the band Moria which later became Nü View.

Bryan's description of his role in the duo, directly from the Nü View MySpace page, is "vocals, self-tortured poet and pyro lyricist, drummer and co-producer", while Daniel was the "guitarist, poet, lyricist, bassist, engineer, and producer".

Bryan's description of his band showed if he was passionate and optimistic about one thing, it was his music: "B.J. and D.A.N. making classic power pop anthems to make a cause and effect for future generations. Also to make every single living creature sing along until the HEAVENS erupt into rapture with MYSTIC ANGELS as our background singers! Yes my MySpace friends it can and it surely will be done!!".

On December 21, 2007 Bryan celebrated the birth of his daughter Kiley. He loved to spend time with her, and took advantage of every chance he got. It is a regret that she will never grow up to know her wonderful father. Bryan wrote in his journal to his daughter "To my Beautiful BABY GIRL. Only if you knew how much I love you.".

On Wednesday July 23th, 2008 Bryan decided to end his journey, he ingested a deadly dose of prescription medication and stopped breathing. By the time he was found the damage to his brain had been done. With no prospect of ever making a meaningful recovory, his family made the agonizing decision to let him go, and on the Sunday morning of August 3rd, 2008, Bryan left us in this world without him.

This one goes out to the one's I love...

Those of us close to Bryan are cursed to struggle with the perpetual question of why? Perhaps it is best to let Bryan try to answer that question with his own words, he left a letter to his beloved family and friends which is posted here. While Bryan may indeed be in a better place, it is a cold condolence to the ones left behind with regret in our tears and a void in our hearts. There is little doubt that the world is worse for wear with his loss.

So this one goes out to the one we lost, Bryan. Rest in peace, we love you with all of our hearts, and we pray that you have finally found the peace that you have sought.

Reminiscences & Condolences


Below are the 10 most recent comments of 47 total comments. Click here to read all comments.
Posted by Kristin Gullickson Tue Aug 19, 2008 at 5:39pm
Brian, I haven't seen or talked to you in a while, but I can still see your catchy smile. You were a great person, both as a friend and as a co-worker.
I am so sad that we didn't talk more, and I wish I would have made more of an effort to keep in touch. I never thought there would be a time when that wouldn't be possible. I will miss you forever.
My prayers go out to your family, friends and anyone else who was fortunate to know you. We are blessed to have had you in our lives. May you find the peace you were searching for.
Love, Kristin
Posted by Jennifer Capra (Sundby) Wed Aug 13, 2008 at 5:26pm
Bryan,
I met you through Kelly (who I worked with at Sephora) at the time..you both came into my life at a time I needed support and friends as my mom Sheri Sundby had recently passed away, I remember us hanging out with Phra Mangkone doing yoga, meditating and laughing together that hot summer...Phra Mangkone loved you as a brother. I remember you, Kelly and I going to Valley Fair and spending the day in the water park...
lastly going to see Tomb Raider together!! :)
Bryan you were my support through my stem cell transplant in Dec. 05
most importantly Bryan you and Kelly were there the day I woke up in ICU recovering from life threatening surgery June of 06 and you were there Bryan you grabbed my hand and kissed my cheek and you both told me how much you guys loved me...I was so very happy to have you both with me then in those first few days of being so scared after surgery.
I will never forget you ...you were a light in everyone's life, your love, kindness, friendship and pure heart touched us all....
I am sending you loving thoughts... I hope my mom is up there supporting you and carrying you on....through time..
lots of love always
Jennifer Capra (Sundby)
Posted by Melisa Johnson Tue Aug 12, 2008 at 5:27pm
Byran,

I know you are in a better place now. As you know we live in hell here. Now you don't have to feel the pain for it is lifted from you. Wait for me I will be there when it is my time. We will have lots of fun flying around with our wings. Because you are a angel like me. I will never forget that you were the only one in my family who came to my court when they took my kids. You seen how unfair it was, but that is life. So you don't have to endure anything bad anymore

Love Your Cuz

Melisa Johnson

I
Posted by The Mely Family Tue Aug 12, 2008 at 10:25am
Bryan, we just learned today that you are no longer with us. Even though we had lost touch, we never stopped loving you and your family. When you were young, we had many good years together — we will always remember your vivacious and addictive smiles. We will miss you.

We send our sincerest condolences to Bryan’s family.

Love,
Deborah & Chris; Steven; Adam; Jennifer & Kaitlin; Cary, Josie, Cassy, Caleb & Clea.
Posted by Jessica Kloeppel Mon Aug 11, 2008 at 10:09am
Beezy, It has taken me a while to figure out what to say to you because words seem so insignificant compared to the love I feel for you. Your overwhelming smile and your passion for music were the things that initially drew me to you. You always knew the right thing to say to make me laugh or bring me up when I was feeling down. I am so lucky to have spent time with you, developing memories over these past five years that I will cherish forever. I love you, Bryan.

Love,
Your Jessi Girl
Posted by Your Loving Dad Sat Aug 9, 2008 at 8:44am
My Sweet Precious and Giving Boy Bryan,

Since the first day you came into my life You began giving me, and everyone in your life, A Love that I (or anyone else) would ever forget and to see how your Love was true and pure and more generous than most...
You were taught to pray when you were young and you Prayed every single day and you had a true relationship with our Lord...
Your music is a true tribute to your Love for us and the walk you had on this earth with God, with whom you now stand until I, and everyone in your life that Loves You, finish life here and are called to our true home in Heaven...
I will miss you until I hold you and hug you and kiss your sweet face again...
Keep them laughing and smiling up their in heaven, like you did for us here and blow them away with your awesome voice and lyrics!
I LOVE YOU SO SO MUCH MY DEAR SWEET SON, for this is not Goodbye but just a short wait til we hug again and we will be talking soon...

LOVE YOU MY SWEET PRECIOUS BOY!!!

Your Loving Dad...

God Bless All of You who have written to my Loving Boy "Bryan Beautiful"...
Posted by Julie Klouda Fri Aug 8, 2008 at 7:34pm
Bry,

You were such a wonderful, generous, non judgemental guy with the biggest heart. Bryan you were always a joy to be around. I remember the pranks we would play on my friends, especially when you played the role of "dominique"! The times we snuck into movies and had the "marathon" days. You will be missed by all that knew you.
I wish the best to your daughter Kylie, I hope she has endless opportunities during her life to know you through your mom, brother, Ethan and other close family & friends.
I know you have found peace in heaven.
"Forever 27" we will see you again.
With the deepest love for you, Catrina, Shawn and Ethan.

Sincerely,
Julie
Posted by kathy & shaun Fri Aug 8, 2008 at 5:26pm
Dear family, you are in our prayers & we wish you peace & comfort. we love you both. we will always be here for you. Love, Don & Mary Jo
Posted by Ron Johnson (Uncle) Fri Aug 8, 2008 at 4:53pm
August 8, 2008
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Posted by Linda Armstrong Fri Aug 8, 2008 at 4:18pm
Goodbye dear Bryan...it breaks my heart to write these words. You were a part of our family for so many years and my dear Scott's best friend since the 1st grade...our entire family is grieving your loss to us and the world. I'm listening to your music and it moves me to tears. I hope you were aware of how much so many people loved and cared for you. You had been on my mind so much recently...why didn't I immediately call...now, it is too late. I cannot fathom the pain you were in emotionally to be compelled to take the path you did Bryan...it is beyond knowing and will be grieved by so many.You will be missed by myself and my family for all time. To your dear family I send my and my family's heartfelt condolences...we will continue to be praying for you all.

Linda Armstrong

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