Phil Blair Johnson

Mr. Johnson was born March 7, 1934 to the late Rochelle Johnson and Fay Blair Johnson. Born in Winston Salem and raised in Raleigh, Phil graduated from Broughton, class of '52, and attended college at the University of North Carolina. After graduation, he joined his father in the daily operations of Johnson & Lambe Sporting Goods. Established in 1935, it is one of Raleigh's longest lived businesses and fondly familiar to locals spanning several generations. Phil's business acumen kept 'the store' successful, pivoting to match the evolving demands of the sporting goods market. His sons, Rhett and Josh, are now at the helm and grandsons Cole and Grey have joined the J&L team as well.

Phil loved his family, relished the beach, cherished his dogs, and was a boxing fan who kept fit hitting a speed and heavy bag. He never met a stranger and encounters with him were always memorable. With a privileged smile, acquaintances frequently mimic, in his gravely voice, the unique spirit lifting calling card he had given them.

In addition to his wife of 61 years, Mr. Johnson is survived by his children, sons Rhett and wife Marci, Josh and his wife Pat; daughters Chelle deBruin and her husband Bill, Blair Wirkkala and her husband Allan; grandchildren Cole, Grey, Stevie, Ella, Maggie, Ashe, Judd, and great grandchild Beattie Grace as well as his sister (childhood partner-in-pranks) Johanna Smith.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Walk for Hope, using the link below, under 'donations'.

If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Phil, or a message of condolence for his family, you may do so below, within 'add a memory'.