TEMPLE, Texas — Turning a parent's worst nightmare into a positive lasting legacy. A Temple father is on a mission to honor his son's life with a statue on Pepper Creek Trail.
At just 19, Chris Johnson was killed in a motorcycle accident on Thanksgiving night in 2022.
One of his favorite spots to fish was on Pepper Creek Trail in Temple.
Johnson was adopted by Gary Johnson when he was 13. The two instantly connected and had a bond like no other.
"There's no way anybody can tell me that he was ever meant to be anybody's but mine," Gary Johnson said. "His resilience after what he had been through. Look at the smiles. Look at the laughs that CPS said would never happen."
Chris Johnson had a big heart and was eager to help others.
"The world was a better place because there was a Chris Johnson," his father told 6 News.
Those who walk, jog and bike on the trail will soon see a reminder of Johnson's life.
"Who gets a statue?" Gary Johnson said. "Lincoln, MLK, some athletes and Chris Johnson."
The statue comes with a hefty price tag, but Gary will continue to use his voice to share Chris's story and push for change.
"It's not about being strong, just because I'm not," Gary Johnson added. "This has destroyed me. It's about learning to walk again. We don't often get all the time we want with our kids, and we just don't know how quickly it can end."
Gary Johnson has also started the Christopher Johnson Foundation and sells shirts and bracelets. He hopes to help foster families and children still in the system to find homes and families that love them as much as he loved his son. You can find more information here.
There will be a fundraising event at Bold Republic Brewing in Temple on Saturday, Aug. 3 to help raise money for the statue. The campaign goal is $6,000.
If all goes well, the statue will be ordered next week and will be in place on Chris' birthday, Aug. 23. The City of Temple is declaring Aug. 23 as 'Chris Johnson Day' and will reveal the statue dedicated to him.
More from 6 News: