Brian Young was a former Southfield Falcons player who went on to play quarterback for Martin Luther King High and Lincoln University. Brian also coached at Southfield-Lathrup High School during the 2004 and 2005 seasons and was playing quarterback for a semi-pro football team.
Tyronee “Tiger” Bussey
Tyronee Bussey was an outstanding young man and player. Tiger played for the Southfield Falcons in the late 80's. He went on to play linebacker at St. Martin De Porres High School in Detroit, where he earned All State honors. Before he went off to Colorado to play linebacker he was diagnosed with leukemia shortly after signing with the Buffaloes 1994 recruiting class; received first of two bone marrow transplants one month after Colorado's 1994 defeat of Michigan; able to practice in full pads in spring of 1996 but signs of the disease returned; Bussey was 6-foot-2, 240 pounds when he signed to play in Colorado, but was as low as 145 pounds the summer before his death, of leukemia at age: 20.
Died: Detroit, Jan. 3, 1997
John Johnson Jr., a longtime volunteer coach who helped establish the Southeast Michigan Pop Warner Football League, and who at one time served as the regional director for the Mid America Pop Warner, died Dec. 30 at his home in Oak Park of congestive heart failure.
He was 65.
"Because he was so genuinely concerned about the future of the kids, my father used sports as a deterrent to prevent them from falling into the wrong type of lives," said his daughter, Toya Johnson. "Whether he was coaching football or baseball, he was always very supportive of the children and enjoyed teaching them about good sportsmanship and helping them realize their full potential."
Through his association with Pop Warner, Mr. Johnson was the recipient of the Detroit Lions' William Clay Ford Community Quarterback Award in 2004 for his volunteer service. He also was recognized by former President George W. Bush as a Daily Points of Light recipient in 2005 for his commitment to young people.
Mr. Johnson's legacy will continue to impact metro Detroit youths through the John Johnson scholastic award, which provides $500 annually to a top scholar in the Southeast Michigan Pop Warner Football League.
Born in Alexandria, Va., Mr. Johnson served for four years in the Navy after high school graduation and received a bachelor's degree from Lake Superior State University in 1980.
He was hired by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan in 1984 as a customer service representative, and retired in 2006 as a training coordinator.
Besides his daughter, survivors include sons John III and Karlos Griffin; two brothers; four grandchildren, and his two former wives, Marsha Miller and Reba Johnson.
Visitation is from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. today with family hour from 6-7 p.m. at James H. Cole Home for Funerals -- Northwest Chapel, 16100 Schaefer Hwy., Detroit.
The funeral service is at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Visitation will precede the service at 10:30 a.m.
Burial will be in Parkview Memorial Cemetery in Livonia
