Birthday gift from dead dad goes viral for Port Huron teen

When 16-year-old Johnny Crow first saw his new Dean Razorback guitar, he was in disbelief. 

When he realized it was a birthday gift from his late father, his heart both broke and was elated.

"I was definitely overjoyed that my father gave me one last thing to remember him by," said the Port Huron High sophomore. "I know a lot of kids don't get that."

His dad, John Crow, died at the age of 49 following a heart attack in their Smiths Creek home April 1.

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Johnny's 20-year-old sister, Chandler Crow, was contacted recently by the music center of her father's birthday purchase.

Peter Kruse, owner of the Port Huron Music Center and Grove Mall, said he knew John Crow because of his work with Thumb Fire Extinguisher Service. 

Kruse said John Crow ordered the guitar in January to ensure he got the exact model his son wanted for his 16th birthday. 

Chandler Crow took a video of her brother getting the guitar at Port Huron Music Center Wednesday, his 16th birthday. She shared it on Facebook and by Thursday afternoon it had been viewed more than 5.4 million times. 

"It's a real positive thing to be a part of," Kruse said. "It was a really emotional day for all of us here....an amazing experience, amazing the world has found it equally as amazing as we did."

Nearly 3,000 comments have been posted on the video, the vast majority positive and supportive, from sharing stories of their own losses to wishing Johnny a happy birthday. 

The teen said the well wishes and shared stories of grief have helped him cope. 

He was with his dad when he had his heart attack and performed CPR before rescue crews arrived. Johnny said seeing his dad in the hospital after doctors' efforts ended was challenging. 

"It's a very different experience seeing your hero on his deathbed," Johnny said. 

But the love and support spread on his now-viral video has been touching. 

"It's good to feel you're not alone in this," Johnny said. 

He said he bonded with his dad through music. Johnny said music helped him get through emotional times. 

"I discovered music and it was amazing how it made me feel," he said. "It made that sadness go away, it made me more like my father who I so inspired to be."

"He said he'd be famous one day," Chandler recalled her father saying of her brother. 

Contact Liz Shepard at (810) 989-6273 or lshepard@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @lvshepard.