Russell Roy Johnson was born in 1954 in the Bronx in New York City. During this time he held various jobs to make ends meet. He married his high school sweetheart, Michelle, and they attended August Martin.

Russell's motto was always leaving your house 15 mins early when going to work, so you can give the mans a good day of work. He served in the army for a few years and was discharged. Russell enjoyed bike riding and cooking with his daughter, Ebonie. His favorite foods were black eyed peas and cornbread and fried honey chicken. He never stressed about little things. He enjoyed his life and was full of laughter - a comedian at times.

He will be missed dearly but his memory will live on through his wife, Michelle Johnson, and his daughter, Ebonie Johnson, and a host of nephews and nieces.