It is with a heavy heart that the family of Philip Lee Johnson (83) announces his passing on March 17, 2020. While his life faded peacefully due to the insidious progression of Alzheimer’s disease, Phil had a fulfilling and wonderful life, noted for his devotion to making the world a better place through service to community.
Phil was born in Lima, Ohio on July 20, 1936 to the late Elizabeth (Royer) and Horace Glenn Johnson. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his beloved wife Nancy (Weber) and his siblings, LaVonne Diaspro, Carl Johnson and Robert Johnson, and step-daughter Kim Christoph. He is survived by his daughters Elizabeth Mauch (Tim Garvey) and Susan Smiley (Tim); wife Sandra (Waggoner-Lunte) Johnson and her daughters Teri Koeth (William), Denise Davis (Rodger), and Sandra Lunte (Anthony Cortellini); grandson James Philip Mauch; and step-grandchildren Brian Christoph, Laura Perry (Donald), and Leah Davis.
Phil graduated from Berea High School in 1954 and from Otterbein College in 1963 with a B.A. in Social Studies and minors in electrical engineering and physics. He married Nancy Louise Weber in 1958 while continuing his college education, working at the Frigidaire Division of General Motors and later for Westinghouse as an electrical technician. In 1962, he began his 29-year career as an electrical engineer and program manager with Monsanto at the Mound Laboratory in Miamisburg. While working and raising his family, he continued his studies at the University of Dayton, earning a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management. Phil retired in 1991, and was a consultant to the Miamisburg Mound Community Improvement Corp. during closure of Mound Lab and conversion of that site to a privately owned industrial park
Phil led a full and busy life outside of work, including many camping trips with family, particularly to visit National Parks across the country. He was an active member of the Mound Flying Club, Miamisburg Rotary Club (member for over 43 years), MG Car Club, and Miamisburg Historical Society. He gave generously of his time to Rotary, the Historical Society, and the former Burg Center (for Miamisburg’s under-privileged youth) and was a long time member of Trinity Church where he served on Consistory and sang in the choir. He travelled abroad to Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France and England with his beloved wife Nancy, often doing service projects with Rotary International. He lost Nancy in 2006 after a battle with leukemia.
Phil later reconnected with Sandra Lunte, a classmate from Berea High School, and they were married in 2008 with a festive, colorful Hawaiian-themed wedding ceremony at Trinity Church in Miamisburg. They established a new household in Centerville and the two of them enjoyed travel, particularly to the Big Island of Hawaii in the winter, and spending time with their two families and doting on their beloved cats.
Phil will be remembered for his friendly, kind spirit and for his generosity and community service. To honor this special man, a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Notification of this event will be posted to the Gebhart-Schmidt-Parramore Funeral Home website at www.gebhartschmidtparramore.com.
The family would like to thank Phil’s “team” and the rest of the staff at Bethany Village for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Hospice of Dayton. Personal condolences can be forwarded to the Johnson family via the Gebhart-Schmidt-Parramore website.
DONATIONS
Hospice of Dayton324 Wilmington Ave, Dayton, Ohio 45420
Alzheimer's Association31 W. Whipp Road, Dayton, Ohio 45459
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