“John... is… dead.” The words are like a great mass of ice plummeting into the sea, foreshadowing something which, we are not prepared. Something chilling and reflective. For those of us who are old enough to have walked alongside John know that his presence was like the sun, he held us in place and brightened our way through times of darkness.
On Wednesday, March 18th, 2020 John Glen Flood’s struggle in life ended and the people he had cherished and inspired and led through darkness mourned him as they have no other. John was born on February 14th, 1965 in Detroit, Mi to Jacqueline and John Mark Flood. He was raised in the Catholic Church and attended Saint Bartholomew elementary school and Saint Ladislaus High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Ferris State University. He later went on to receive a Master of Arts degree in clinical counseling, with a specialization in couples and family counseling, from Oakland University.
He was known for his quick wit, infectious smile, and his kind and compassionate spirit. John will be remembered as a worker, in a time when the term has lost much meaning he is a testament. He suffered through his pain stoically and gave himself willingly to help others through their hardships.
On May 21, 1994, he was married to the love of his life Ruth Brandt. Together they had one beautiful, and equally quick-witted, daughter Jasmine.
John was preceded in death by his father, John Mark Flood. He is survived by his mother, Jacqueline, his wife Ruth, his daughter Jasmine, his brothers William and Robert, and his nieces and nephews - Erinne, Kate, Cristi, William Patrick, Kevin, Calvin, and Derek. He is survived by all of us who hear his words as guidance and have been shaped by his counseling.
As we face these times of uncertainty, these times of sorrow, let us reflect on what John would tell us, “Why are people so worried about what I’m doing, they need to be worrying about themselves”. With our faith and his guidance, we can, we will.