Branden was arguably the sweetest of the 8 Johnston kids, and he loved nothing more than when the family was all together. Didn't really matter where or what we were doing, as long as we were together. He stood out among his fairly snarky siblings by taking very little personally and rarely ever having an unkind word to say about anyone. While the other kids would start a fight over who knew the most cuss words or could do the most pushups, Branden would just smile and abstain from the fight. He was a lover, not a fighter.

With the relentlessly wholesome eagerness of a golden retriever puppy, he could follow you from room to room bending your ear about whatever new interest had captivated him—usually something related to cars or dogs. Ever underfoot and in the way, he simply wanted to be around you and help with whatever you were doing.

Branden had the most incredible attitude, and his family will be forever awestruck at his grace, strength and humor in the face of it all. Instead of anger or self pity, both of which he'd have been entitled to, he'd simply shrug and laugh with his constant refrain, "it is what it is." He enjoyed a big laugh with family and close friends all the way to the end—and that is how we will always remember him.

Branden passed away on April 17 at home, lovingly cared for by his siblings and parents. We know that we will all have to try very hard to be a little better—a little kinder, a little more patient, a little more loving, with him gone.

Branden's absence will be forever felt by his parents—Randy Johnston & Patricia Magadini, and Sandy Ramos; his siblings—Jessica and Jon Jager, Coyt and Ashley Johnston, Meredith Johnston and Heather Knox, Vanessa and Jared Borton, Morgan and Rob McCue, Brett and Julia Johnston, and Abigail and Chris Orosz; and his 13 adorable nieces and nephews. He loved being an uncle so much.

At Branden's request, we celebrated his life and what he means to us on February 4 when he could participate, rather than having any services after he is gone. If you'd like to do something, he would love donations to SPCA, Cody's Friends Rescue—where his sweet dog Terra came from, or any nonprofit animal rescue.