TEMPLE, Texas — A Temple father who lost his son last year in a motorcycle accident on Thanksgiving is starting up a foundation in his son's honor, hoping to raise money for foster families and those who are still in the foster system in Texas.
Gary Johnson received a call that his adopted son Chris, 19, had died after crashing his motorcycle with a car last year. Chris had just left their Thanksgiving celebration, Johnson said.
"Chris had gotten a new helmet and he wanted to show off his bike and helmet to family so he decided to ride his motorcycle that day," Johnson.
Not ten minutes from their home, Chris told his father they'd ride together when they returned home, Johnson said.
"I rolled my eyes because I was chicken and it was drizzling and I didn't want him riding in the rain either," Johnson said.
Johnson adopted Chris back in 2017 from an abusive family, he said. He added that Chris saved his life more than he saved his.
"Chris was a free spirit, you never met anyone more bold and more brave," Johnson said. "He's been through such a rough go, it was part of his character."
Johnson said he visits the sight of the crash that killed his son everyday, and on Friday afternoon, he spread his story and a pushed for change.
"You certainly think of yourself as 'you did something' when you foster or adopt, but he rescued me," Johnson said.
Johnson is selling shirts with motorcycles on them, with the hashtag "#RevitupforChris" and he is hoping to raise money for foster families and children still in the system, to find homes and families that love them as much as he loved his son.
"To kids I really want them to take to heart that their parents love them and when they say to be careful to actually be careful and remember that they'll be leaving behind a wake that is a very very tough depth to endure," Johnson said.