Support for Johnny Behrens & Family

On November 6, 2020, less than 24 hours ago, my best friend and brother died of a sudden cardiac arrest at the age of only 31.

[EDIT: Cardiac arrest needs to be clarified due to the questions I've been receiving. "Sudden cardiac arrest occurs suddenly and often without warning. It is triggered by an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). With its pumping action disrupted, the heart cannot pump blood to the brain, lungs and other organs. Seconds later, a person loses consciousness and has no pulse. Death occurs within minutes if the victim does not receive treatment."

In Johnny's situation he had no warning signs other than when he was donating plasma he had an elevated pulse and high blood pressure which he assumed was stress. Other than these two times he had no problem donating. In hindsight it should have been taken as a warning sign because his grandfather on our Dad's side passed away at 39 from the same undiagnosed heart issue. This should clarify what happened.]

There are no words to be written that can convey just what a kind, gentle, smart, and honest person he was. My life and his loved one's lives have been forever changed for the worse. After losing our father to cancer on March 26 of this year Johnny stepped up and took on all the tasks asked of him by my father before he died. 

It became too much for his heart to withstand due to what the medical examiner thinks was an underlying factor. My mom and many others refer to it as "the broken heart syndrome."

Not only was he my brother but he was my best friend and the thought of living the rest of my life without him is too unbearable to fathom. He and I promised my father we would take care of my mother until she was able to receive her widow's survivor benefits. Things have been hard but with the help of family we have been making it. Without him I truly don't know what we will do.

The funds are needed for his cremation and to bide us some time to figure out our next move. It will also help with the urn and a small get together to say our good-byes.

Thank you for reading. Any amount you can donate would be greatly appreciated. If that isn't possible please share.

Thank you,

Richard Behrens Jr.
Patricia Behrens


I love you so much John. Even though we weren't church-goers, I hope we were wrong and we see each other again.