Navy Yard Shooting Victims John Johnson, Kathleen Gaarde Remembered

Navy yard shooting victims John Johnson and Kathleen Gaarde were remembered Tuesday by friends and family.

When shots were fired in a Washington, D.C. naval yard, the nation stood and took notice. Mass shootings could apparently happen even in our nation’s Capitol. Good people get taken from us just like that, and it’s just a senseless act of violence all around. Some say mental illness was involved, while political leaders once again blamed video game violence as the shooting coincided with the release of Grand Theft Auto 5. On Tuesday, the blame game was dropped as John Johnson and Kathleen Gaarde were remembered, alongside Frank Edwin Kohler and Mary Knight.

John Johnson was known for his infectious smile and bear hugs, and he was religious, a role model for the church if there ever was one. His crowded funeral was recalled as a warm memory overshadowing the tragic shooting which resulted in the arrest of Aaron Alexis.

Of course, some funeral attendees left feeling that gun laws needed to be tightened so things like this would stop happening. Navy yard shooting victim John Johnson’s family friend Timothy Anderson stated, “You just pray and just say, God, we just hope that things like this are, you know, dealt with and gun control and taking away the guns off the street and the senseless tragedies will stop.”

Financial analyst Kathleen Gaarde was also remembered that day. The 62-year-old Navy yard employee was said to be the type who would disapprove of the fuss being made over her, but she is missed nonetheless. Long-time husband Douglas Gaarde had a semi-humorous way of countering Kathleen’s supposed objections, “Kathy, I’m sorry, but for all the love you’ve given over the years, you’re going to have to suck it up and accept all the love being given in return.”

Funerals held today for the victims of the deadly Navy Yard shooting: http://t.co/21DNeBGzbS

— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) September 24, 2013

Kathleen Gaarde’s daughter even noted that her mother touched a lot of lives and doesn’t realize how much she meant to everybody.

Navy yard shooting victim Kathleen Gaarde loved to travel, and had a soft spot for the native hockey team, as well as singing Hall and Oates songs, and rescue dogs.

Navy yard shooting victims Frank Edwin Kohler and Mary Knight were also remembered that day. May they all rest in peace.

[images via WUSA9, CBS Atlanta]