In September 2024, Cody Robert Wright Johnson was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He passed away three months later, at the age of 16.
Johnson grew up with a love for music and admiration for the marching band at Hoover HIgh School in Fresno, where his mother taught. As a junior attending Clovis High School, he was a member of the school’s marching band, winter percussion group and concert band.
“Participating in marching band allowed Cody to make wonderful friends, travel across the country and reach a level of maturity that well surpassed his young age,” his parents, Dara and Matthew Johnson, said.
“Cody would have been proud and honored to know that his short life inspired a scholarship fund that would assist young music lovers, like himself, with some of the financial burdens of attending college.”
Following Johnson’s passing, his parents created a GoFundMe page where community members could also contribute funds to establish a scholarship at Fresno State in honor of their son.
The Cody Johnson Memorial Endowed Scholarship was established at the university this spring with $31,000.
Beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, the scholarship will benefit two students annually.
Students will be considered for the scholarship if they are incoming from Clovis High or Hoover High and participated in band.
The Johnson family said in an update to their GoFundMe page, “Thank you to everyone that has contributed to this scholarship fund. Your generosity is overwhelming, and so very appreciated. While our hearts are shattered, and we continue to go through the grieving process, knowing that Cody’s legacy will live on is helping with the healing process.”
To give to the Cody Johnson Memorial Endowed Scholarship fund, contact Katie Bewarder at katieadamo@csufresno.edu or 559.278.5768.
