“May you know love and share it with the world.”
Cullen Logan was a kind and gentle soul, known for seeing the world through a lens of unconditional love. He was an easy child to raise, praised for his intelligence and kindness. From an early age, Cullen had a natural talent for singing, performing, and excelling in all things creative. Helping others and making a point of seeing the good in every person were the foundations of Cullen’s moral code. Cullen’s family have many fond memories with him. These include a trip to the beach, where Cullen, despite his dislike for it, fully participated in a baby turtle release. Another was when he bought appliances for his siblings when they purchased their first homes. These moments will be treasured forever by his family.
Cullen came from a large, blended family. He had one full brother, Chris, two half-siblings, Kegan, and Kerby Johnson, and three step-siblings: Kerry Mourning, the late Eric Johnson, and Kyle Johnson. His parents, though divorced, remained best friends and showed Cullen the importance of maintaining relationships despite life’s challenges. His mom, Teena Johnson, married to Mike Johnson, and his dad, Chris Logan, married to Fred Cummings, all provided love and support. Cullen had a close bond with his niece, Laurel Logan. Cullen also shared a deep relationship with his grandparents, Nancy, and Jesse Logan, who were vital figures in his life. The strong connection to his relatives remained a grounding force during Cullen’s best and worst of times.
Cullen always helped others. One notable example was in high school when his best friend, Jon, had a learning disability. Cullen went above and beyond, programming his TI-83 calculator to communicate with Jon’s computer to assist him with math. This simple but life-changing gesture helped Jon succeed, and Jon credits Cullen’s generosity for much of his academic achievement. It was just one of many examples of Cullen’s deep care for others.
Cullen’s academic career was distinguished. He graduated with honors from The University of Texas with a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering. His career began while still in high school when he interned at SigmaTel in Austin. After graduating, Cullen spent a year in Taiwan and later moved to Seattle, where he worked on cell phone projects for Microsoft and Amazon. His career also included roles in several start-ups and, most recently, at Roku. Cullen’s mind was exceptionally gifted, and he was the go-to person for computer and programming help.
The last years of Cullen’s life were marred by internal struggles. The pandemic caused him deep anxiety, and his fear of contracting COVID-19 intensified his depression. He was also facing the breakdown of his marriage to Vanessa and was going through a divorce. Addiction, which began with a prescription for OxyContin, worsened during this time. The stress from the pandemic, marriage, and his addiction spiraled, leading him to purchase what he believed was OxyContin, but it was fentanyl that tragically claimed his life.
Cullen’s passing was devastating for his family, but they channeled their grief into creating change. His mother founded BeCAUSE CULLEN, a nonprofit that spreads awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and advocates for harm reduction. She is also an advocate for Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs, which could have helped Cullen. She co-founded NTX Angel Moms, a support group for parents who have lost children to fentanyl. Cullen’s life, though tragically short, made an impact that continues to inspire compassion, awareness, and change.
Cullen’s mother, Teena Johnson, provided the information for this narrative.
March 15, 1983-April 27, 2021-Age 38
Portrait Artist: Jeremy Hebbel
Narrative Writer: Justin Teague
