My name is Rycardo, I am the son of Johnson Bia. My dad met his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 11, 2025.

In the last 3 months, my dad has been in and out of the hospital with respiratory issues dealing with pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease. My dad was never a smoker but he suspected such issues may have been caused by a bout with Covid 19 in early 2022.

In August he was in the hospital for 6 days, and was released with supplemental oxygen, steroids, and antibiotics. He was instructed to run the course of the medications while titrating down the oxygen. He had managed to titrate his oxygen from 30L/hr down to 0.5L/hr. During this time my mother was actively being treated for cataracts in both eyes.

Around September 14, my dad’s medications stopped, in the next few days, he felt “some way”. A few more days later, he called me to take him to the hospital. This time he was rapidly declining. His oxygen intake started at 15L/hr and by Saturday, had shot up to 30L/hr.

On Saturday, September 20th, he was intubated for 7 days. After his intubation, he was very weak and loss about 30 pounds of weight. He required physical and speech therapy. On October 7th, he was transferred to a long term acute care hospital.

Over the next 6-8 weeks, he would be given the best care and was initially doing very well. However, during this stay, he contracted some infections in his lungs that set him back. For every step he took in getting better, he took two steps back. He caught pneumonia 4 times in that 8 week span. Each time made his lungs worse.

On November 6th, my dad’s lungs indicated an infection of lungs and fluid buildup. His doctor asked him if he wanted to be intubated for recovery. This would allow for the lungs and body to rest while the ventilator would do the breathing for him. My dad stated: … It is okay to intubate IF it will give a true chance toward recovery. But if at any time recovery is no longer viable, there is no need to prolong the inevitable. Just to let it take its course and make it as comfortable as possible for me and my family.

On November 11th, 2025, my dad was taking 75L/hr of supplemental oxygen. His oxygen saturation level was peaking at 85. His respiratory therapist and pulmonologist suggested that he be intubated. My father repeated what he had told his doctor previously. My dad opted for comfort care instead.

At approximately 1625 hours, my dad entered heaven and met his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

I know this story sounds sad and this was a quick way to tell an otherwise long story. However, I left out one important fact and that was my dad never lost his faith in God. When he was told news about his health that would’ve discouraged most people, he kept his faith. He listened to gospel and Christian music in the hospital room, while he was eating, during his breathing treatments, and when he laid down for bedtime. His favorite song was “Victory in Jesus”. His faith never wavered and it never was lost. 

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭23‬:‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Thanks for reading. We are doing this GoFundMe to defer costs for his funeral, service, and burial. God bless you.