Memphis Rox, a South Memphis rock climbing gym, welcomed climbers back on Sunday for a "Climb for Mond" event, paying tribute to Jarmond Johnson, a 25-year-old employee who was tragically shot and killed at the establishment. The event, which started around 1 PM, saw community members and climbers fill the gym's walls, honoring Johnson's memory and his impact on the community, Action News 5 reported.
Johnson, known affectionately by many as Mond, was not just an employee at the climbing gym but a key member of the Memphis Rox family and symbol of its values. According to FOX13 Memphis, Tom Shadyac, one of the co-founders of the gym, reflected on how Johnson represented the second chances that Memphis Rox strives to give, changing his life to positively affect those around him. During the event, climbers were encouraged to stay and climb in homage to Johnson's life, and the gym also provided free food and drinks.
Johnson's dedication to the Memphis Rox mission was palpable, extending internationally as he traveled to climb in distant destinations like Antarctica and Africa. "His spirit went worldwide," Shadyac said in a statement found in WREG's coverage of the reopening. Acknowledging the breadth of Johnson's influence, Shadyac emphasized the need for the community's ongoing support.
Participants in the climb and those who knew Johnson spoke to his compassionate nature and ability to touch lives. Michael Evans, who climbed in Johnson's honor, remembered his friend's inclusive philosophy, saying, "Mond was the embodiment of Martin Luther King’s dream. He believed that everybody, themselves, had a soul like we could be brothers, we could be neighbors. Love thy neighbor like God said. You feel what I’m saying? There’s no difference between me, you, him, her," according to Action News 5's interview with Evans.
