Community pays tribute to Ian Johnson of Southwell

Members of the community have been paying tribute to a ‘very gentle, sensitive soul’.

Ian Johnson, 58, of Southwell was found dead last week after being reported missing.

Tributes have now been paid to the creative music and film lover.

One of his biggest passions was music, as he loved going to concerts and has seen artists such as Michael Jackson and David Bowie.

Ian’s younger sister, Fiona Johnson said: “The thing I will always remember the most about him was how he introduced me to really incredible music.

“He’s 11 years older than me so when I was around five he was bringing like Michael Jackson’s Thriller album into the house and introducing me to all this amazing music.”

With a background in film, Ian was said to love sci-fi movies and to read extensive ‘artsy and sci-fi’ books.

Fiona added: “He was very clever, he knew a lot about a lot of subjects and whatever you seemed to talk about he seemed to know it extensively, whether it was wars or bands, he seemed to know it all.

“He had like a very sort of innocent ability to take interest in everybody's story, no matter how, whoever they were, you know, he treated every single person as an equal and with interest.

“He only really saw the good in people and just took interest in everybody's story.”

Fiona thanked everyone for their support and shared how touched the family his will all the love displayed towards her older brother.

“People’s kindness has really got us through and will do for years to come,” she admitted.

Southwell resident Sarah Gray has known Ian for several years as they used to volunteer at Southwell’s Sue Ryder charity shop together.

Sarah has organised a tribute open to the community at Holly Trinity Church as he volunteered at the church’s Trinity Toddlers.

The tribute was put up on Saturday (March 8) and people have been leaving flowers or notes there.

She said: “I just wanted to give people somewhere to go and have a moment and also for the family, with it being so tragic, just for them to see how much he was loved and how many people knew him, even if it was just in passing.

“He meant a lot to Southwell, everyone seemed to know him.”

Ian studied International Film in school and worked in sound editing when he was younger before moving back to Southwell in the late 1990s.

He worked for many years for Sue Ryder in Southwell and Barnardo’s in Newark, and later in life, he volunteered both for charity and the town’s church.

Ian also enjoyed snooker and had a big interest in tennis, which led to him going to Wimbledon several times.

On Saturday, a remembrance book for Ian at Nelly at the Park, who shared their sadness about the news of Ian’s death on social media, describing him as a “kind and caring man with a heart of gold”.

“He will be greatly missed and Southwell will not be the same without him,” they wrote.

A second book of remembrance is open at the Sue Ryder charity shop on Queen Street, Southwell.

People across social media have left a few messages in support of Ian’s family and friends as well as expressing their sadness with the situation.

Margaret Bagguley wrote: “Ian will be remembered by many people in Southwell for his high fives at Toddlers for his singing to friends and his concern for for people who were unwell.

“He loved his niece very much and was always so happy and proud to tell me when she had achieved things at school and when they had been on family trips out and about.”

Janet Ford wrote: “This news is so sad and condolences to Ian’s family.

“We have many happy memories of being on the ‘welcome team’ at Holy Trinity with him and he was always so kind and gentle.

“More recently he has been such a welcome face in the charity shops and he will be so missed in the community.

“Such a sad time but hoping the family take comfort in knowing how loved and respected he was and how much he contributed to the local community.”

Jessica Howells wrote about how Ian was always smiling and would always make time for a ‘friendly’ chat.

Emilie Skye Frasse Sombet wrote: “Absolutely speechless and very gutted right now.

“My thoughts go out to all his family one of the kindest dudes we have met, gonna miss seeing you and listening to you singing me some of your fave Bowie songs.”

Nottinghamshire Police has confirmed that Ian’s death is not being treated as suspicious