Maurice Johnson

Maurice Johnson, 62, born August 8, 1960, passed away peacefully, with loving family by his side, in Newark, Delaware at Christiana Hospital, on May 23, 2023. Maurice was a native of Wilmington, Delaware and was born at Wilmington Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware. He loved telling stories of the early years growing up in the South Bridge neighborhood of Wilmington; later moving to his forever family home at 606 W. 39th Street, where he lived since the age of 6.

As a convented “Dynamiter”, Maurice graduated from P.S. DuPont High School in 1978. He was proud to tell everyone that he had to get “special permission” from his mother to enlist in the Marines at 17 years old. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on August 24, 1978 and was honorably discharged in 1983. Maurice was very proud to be a Marine and loved to share that he was in the “Reconnaissance Unit” and was a “Rifleman”. He was a N-16 Rifle Expert and received the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Maurice always shared a ton of memories of his time of service and shared his enjoyment with others who have served as well.

Maurice’s personal agility had him in a class all by himself; From his acting skills, sense of humor, vocal skills (karaoke); he could and would, capture an audience, especially when singing his favorite – Frank Sinatra. Maurice always left a long lasting impression on others and would have them in stitches without even trying. He even fine tuned his comedic skills, taking a class at the Helium Comedy Club in Philadelphia, PA – later performing for a packed laughing crowd in 2019. He never cared about what others thought of his style, his later ability or uniqueness. A proud “Leo”, he was and will always be “The King of Every Jungle” often sporting a Lion on his clothes and accessories. Maurice was suave, stylish and fit as he’d maintained the same size in muscle from his 30’s to his 60’s. He was in the gym 4/5 times a week because fitness mattered to him.

Maurice was a “walking book” during any conversation. It was a rare topic that he wasn’t able to hold a lengthy and educated conversation (debate) about. His book brain also qualified him for numerous professions throughout his life, in which, he worked 10,555 of them. He has many friends and associates from being a life-long master pipe-fitter, welder and construction worker. He aced them all! His life was robust. Other than serving in the Marine Corps in his 20s, Maurice boxed and later kicked-boxed (both professionally) starred in plays, acted in a variety of movies (a few Scorcasi films), commercials, started his own self-defense business, bred cane corso’s, was a dedicated forever Father, shot pool weekly, loved to sing and entertain people or sometimes just drop the top of his Mustang and RIDE without a Destination - Maurice Loved Himself, His Family and LIFE itself.

Maurice is survived by his only child, Jasmine Johnson; Brothers: Wilbur “Dinks” Johnson, Vernel Johnson, Lamont Havelow and Elbert Barrett; Sister, Dawn Vanderslice (Rob); a Long Time Friend and Ex Wife, Dawn Cooper; Nieces, Brittanie Booker, Morgan Cooper and Charity Johnson; Nephews, John “Tee” Johnson and Tymir "Ty" Johnson; Step-Mother, Lelia Booker. A host of cousins and dear friends. Maurice was Preceded in Death by grandmother, Charlesetta Phillips (“Nana”), Mother Deloris (LaRue) Barrett, Father, Howard Booker Sr.; Sister, Paige Johnson; Brother, Howard Booker, Jr.; and forever companion, Sheba.