The death of a parent is heartbreaking. Perhaps even more so, when the loss happens while you’re too young to remember who that parent was. But for one Texas teenager, that loss was eased with the return of a prized possession of his father’s.
Justin Rozier, now 16, lost his father nine months after Justin’s birth. Army Lt. Jonathan Rozier lost his life serving his country in Iraq. For Justin, the only memories he had of his father were the stories and pictures he was told. Too young to remember his father, but now old enough to understand the legacy his dad left behind.
For Justin’s mother, Jessica Johns, the journey to reconnect her son with a piece of his father’s life began unexpectedly. Jessica stumbled upon the registration of her late husband’s Toyota Celica convertible. In that moment, an idea sparked – to find the car and gift it to Justin for his 16th birthday.
Justin Rozier and a family member sit inside his father’s old car. Photo by the Rozier family
“I was thinking I would go on a yearslong search to find this car,” Jessica said. But, luck was on her side. She had posted a picture of the car, alongside the vehicle identification number, with a plea that Facebook users “work your magic and help me find it.”
Within days, Jessica got a message from the daughter of the car’s owner, Jorge Cruz, who lived in Utah. She told Jessica that she didn’t know what her dad would do with the car, but gave his number to the excited mom. “It took me 12 hours to get the courage to call him,” she said.
Cruz was kind, but told her he needed to think the offer over. An hour later, he called with his answer. “I think that your son will get more enjoyment out of having his dad’s car than I would,” Jorge told her. Within weeks, the car was purchased. “I believe nothing happens for just chance,” Cruz said.
If you can make somebody happy, it’s a good feeling.”
The story had made its way to a Utah-based group called Follow the Flag. Co-founded by Kyle Fox , the organization promotes patriotism. The group began a GoFundMe to raise money to restore the car and deliver it to the teen. “Imagine the feeling of holding the steering wheel of a car your late father once drove. A father you never knew. A father who died in the line of duty serving his country,” Kyle wrote on the fundraiser.
Justin Rozier stands beside his father’s old car, surrounded by friends on family. Photo courtesy of the Rozier family
Once the funding was secured, it only took two months to complete – just in time for Justin’s 16th birthday. For his mom, that moment was everything she could have wished for.
I started getting emotional because I never saw John drive that car home,” Jessica said.
When Justin saw the car, she said, the second he realized who it had belonged to was what she had been longing for. “I was waiting for him, for it to click, that’s Dad’s car,” she said. “He starts looking at it, gets in. He looks so much like his dad.” The gift, she said, will last a lifetime. “For us to have this car come home, is a lot like having a piece of John come home,” said Johns. “I think it’s a forever gift.” Watch below for a look at this wonderful surprise for Justin!
