Parker's imagination was always out of the box and outside of the lines. He was a deep thinker and a dreamer-- a lot like his Grandpapa. He dreamed BIG. He dreamed globally. He dreamed universally beyond the stratosphere far into space. He led his life with his heart and everyone who truly knows him will vouch for this fact. He believed in loyalty and honesty and being real. He believed in family and belonging and love. He believed in his country and he loved the principles for which it stands--especially freedom and honor. He believed in his teammates and brotherhood. He believed in being humble and helping others without drawing attention to himself. He loved trees and children and animals. He believed in helping the underdog even at his own inconvenience or peril. He did this since the time when he was very young standing up to the school yard bully. He gave the shirt off his back and the last change in his pocket to a homeless man. He cared so much that it hurt. It finally hurt too much.

Parker's experience in Wilderness Therapy in the Great Smokey Mountains of North Carolina in the Fall of 2009 was an experience that changed the course of his life and gave him some of his very brightest years as a young adult. He said in Wilderness the fog lifted and he found himself again. He felt at peace and a sense of self-reliance he had forgotten and most importantly he felt hope for his future. We are certain that this time in Wilderness Therapy gave him and us 5 more priceless years together on earth.

As a family, Parker, Dan, Liz and sister Breanna actively talked and dreamed about doing something to help get more young people to Wilderness. A place, a movement, a community...we even talked about how we would build it and what roles each of us would play. Parker even laughed out loud when we asked him, "what role are you going to play?" and he replied, "I will be at the top. I will be overseeing everything. I will be like the head counselor." He then said, "let's do this!" Well the irony is that it now seems that he is taking the lead role in making this happen. He feels very much alive in our hearts as he inspires us to forge ahead and make his dream a reality to help other young people just like him find their way through Wilderness Therapy and beyond.

The world needs more dreamers. The dreamers are those who can see beyond what is and imagine something better. Thank you Parker for your vision and for inspiring us to "just do this!"

Daniel Johnson is father of Parker Bounds Johnson and Breanna Bounds Johnson and husband of Liz Bounds.

Liz, Breanna and Parker are the love of his life. He has devoted his hands, back, brain, and heart to them. “All that I am, have, do, and dream, is because of them." He was born and raised on a farm in Sunnyside Wa. He has three brothers and four sisters. He learned at a young age to work hard and play hard. He doesn’t sit still well. He would much rather be outside in adventure with family or friends, or working on a “project”. He loves people.

Dan graduated from the University of Washington in 1985 with a BS degree in Construction Management. He went on to construct large commercial projects in San Diego for 5 years before moving “home” to Portland and going to work for Skanska USA Building. In 27 years, he rose in the ranks to become the Vice President of Operations for Skanska’s $450M Portland operations. He has had a hand in many projects covering the Portland, Central Oregon and SW Washington region. He says “Construction is a “people” business like no other. Im lucky to love what I do with great people". His great joy is to witness the success people develop and the benefits that personal and professional growth provides them and their families.

Dan has worked his whole life "making things happen". He has great vision, creativity, organizational and leadership skills. He has proven abilities at turning a vision into actions and reality. He has done a significant amount of public speaking, and has the ability to motivate and inspire.

Dan has witnessed first-hand the devastating impact addiction, substance abuse, mental health challenges and suicide can have on people and their families. He has also seen the power of "Wilderness" and other treatment programs that return young adults back into the arms of their families and friends healthy and with renewed hope for their futures. Dan is committed to sharing with families the possibilities for treatment for their loved ones, supporting the good work of the American Foundation Suicide Prevention and as Parker dreamed--"send one kid a year to Wilderness."

My privilege as Parker's and Breanna's mother has shaped me above all else. My children have become my greatest teachers--my dearest treasures on this earth and beyond life. A catastrophic and unfathomable loss occurred that changed me and the course of my life forever. Our son, Parker, took his own life after several difficult years of struggle and suffering just days before his 24th birthday. My grief and healing journey has taken me on a quest for deeper understanding of his plight and of others who may be suffering like he did. It has become my persistent wish to now do something useful to serve these young people who are hurting so deeply. A passionate idea of Parker’s that he enthusiastically shared a short time before his passing is now coming to life under his name: Parker Bounds Johnson Foundation--or PBJWilderness4Life.org

A few facts for the record: I earned my Bachelor or Arts Degree in Business Administration at the University of Washington and an Associates Degree in Interior Design at Portland Community College. I have owned and operated a business in residential and vacation property management for over 30 years. I have been an Interior Designer for nearly 20 years. I have worked for JCPenney as a buyer and merchandise manager and at Nordstom in commission sales. As a teenager I worked through school as utility worker for the City of Bellevue and as a lifeguard and taught swimming lessons to students from pre-school to the elderly at Edgebrook Club and for Bellevue and Mercer Island Park & Recreation. I worked my way through university at Puget Sound Power & Light Company that granted me a 4 year full ride scholarship to the UW. I have taught private art lessons. I have distributed phone books and delivered newspapers door to door. I even owned and operated a pop machine with my husband when we were first married.

My volunteer involvement revolved around my kids--Breanna and Parker, animals, and art. I was enthusiastically involved in the Art Literacy Programs in the Reedville and Beaverton Public Schools for many years. I was selected as a graphic artist for large projects in schools when I was a teenager as well as an adult. I have been involved in my kid's scouting and sports teams and was an assistant to Parker's Barbarian Rugby team--a true highlight. I have been a lifelong personal advocate for the humane treatment of animals and was an involved volunteer at the Oregon Humane Society. I am the Oregon group facilitator of Helping Parents Heal--a grief and healing support group for parents who have lost a child and for their grieving family members and close friends.

Interests lead me toward nature, exercise, family, friends and animals. I am a supporter of Best Friends Animal Society and even visited Angel Canyon in Kanab, Utah with my daughter. We had all just celebrated Parker’s graduation from In Balance Transitional Living in Tucson AZ and were heading back to Oregon. I am a vegetarian. I am learning to climb really big trees. I am a beginning urban bee keeper waiting for my first swarm. I garden. I hike. I backpack. I scuba dive. I ski. I am learning to kite board. I kayak. I water ski. I have run all 200 miles over 12 years from Mt Hood to Seaside in the Hood to Coast Relay with my team. I am privately learning to play the drums in my basement as therapy. I am beginning to practice Xi Gong and Yoga. I draw. I paint. I used to sew all my own clothes. I love animals and have had several pet house rabbits among an array of many scaled, feathered and furry beings. My recent claim to fame is I can make rice crispy treats using just one pan and one spatula. I especially love to spend time with young people and talk about deep subjects about life, the earth, the universe and beyond.

When I am outdoors in the wild places--whether it be oceans, rivers, lakes, forests, mountains, deserts or jungles--in any season-- I can breathe. I can shed my skin. My sadness and anxiety can lift. I feel renewed, nurtured and even empowered when I am in Wilderness. It feels healing of mind, body and spirit and reminds me what is essential. This love of wild places feels innate to my spirit. And it is a gift that has been nurtured by my family to whom I am grateful. I'd like to play a small part in paying this gift forward for another as I honor the legacy of my son's life. It had a significant impact on Parker when he received the gift of healing through a wilderness therapy program in North Carolina. I am certain it added 5 priceless years to his life. For this I am forever thankful.

I am a childhood friend of Parker’s who grew up in the same neighborhood, attended the same schools, and participated in many of the same activities growing up. Parker and I both played high school rugby and football together. Memories made during this time, in particular our rugby memories are something that I will cherish for a lifetime.

Helping people is something that I have always been passionate about, which naturally led me to the field of education. I received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Willamette University and then received an Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology from the graduate school at Lewis & Clark College. I am currently working as a School Psychologist at a middle school in the Battle Ground School District.

My job affords me the opportunity to work with amazing kids who with added support, resources, and positive opportunities, I have witnessed the resilience they have to fight whatever struggle they may be having. Nature is one of those resources that I believe invaluable to expose young people to and one that I personally use as a coping skill to deal with life’s daily challenges.

Helping to connect struggling youth with the power of nature through PBJF is why I find so much value in being involved with this foundation.

Taylor Surby is a Oregon native and childhood friend of Parker. Taylor and Parker began their friendship in 1st grade at Sexton Mountain Elementary school in Beaverton.

Over the years they shared in many adventures, such as annual summer rafting trips, hikes, and hanging out with friends on Mt. Hood. Since graduating college, Taylor continues to volunteer for her college sorority Alpha Phi and works as a Corporate Recruiter.

She enjoys spending time with family, a good book, and making new friends. Taylor hopes that through the Parker Johnson Foundation we can provide young people with hope through the power of wilderness therapy programs and outdoor activity.

Hello Everyone,

My name is Joe Gilcrest and I’m 2008 alumni of wilderness therapy. Upon completion, I moved into a transitional living program where I met Parker who had arrived there the day before I had. Through the program our friendship started, and he and I became closer friends living together afterwards for some time.

I spent a couple years working as a staff member at the Transitional Living Program before moving back to my hometown of San Diego, where I worked as a finish carpenter for 7 years. During that time I hiked 1000 miles of PCT.

I currently live in Portland, Oregon with my girlfriend working towards a career in the Fire Service and Emergency Medical Services.

My drive to be a part of PBJF is near to my heart in many ways;

I understand firsthand what the wilderness therapy experience is like, as an alumni, and as a friend of many who have had the opportunity to go through it.

I understand that the wilderness environment provides opportunities for growth and introspection that cannot be offered elsewhere.

Suffering from mental health is familiar to me with many close relationships.

I get the opportunity to help carry forth my good friend Parker’s amazing idea with his family and friends.