Michael Phillip Johnson

Michael Phillip (Phil) Johnson, 74, of Jacksonville, Florida, died peacefully surrounded by his family on March 29, 2024. Phil was born on December 1,1949,in Rutherfordton, NC. He grew up in a large family and treasured spending every Sunday at his grandparent’s farm. As a teen, Phil became the North Carolina Speed Skating Champion and continued skating well into adulthood. In 1969 Phil received his draft notice and enlisted in the Marine Corps. He always said that he chose the Marines because “The Marines were the best, and I knew I had the best chance to make it back from Vietnam if I served with the best”. Phil was very proud of being a Marine and a Vietnam Veteran. His last duty station was NAS Jax where he met Liz Inman, who set him up on a blind date with Barbara Sumara, his future wife of 45 years.

For 30 years, Phil worked for the City of Jacksonville in the IT department, where he made many lifelong friends with whom he stayed close long after retirement. He earned a Black Belt in Tang Soo Do, appreciated the game of golf, and was an avid paintball player. He fell in love with the Florida Keys and learned to SCUBA dive so he could experience all the beauty they had to offer (but mainly to go

diving for lobsters every fall). Phil loved to tinker and build things, and with a little help from the pros, he restored his dream car - a 1962 Corvette. He owned a Harley Davidson and loved riding the backroads of America from the Florida Keys to the hills of North Carolina to Sturgis, South Dakota and everywhere in between. Phil was a kind, generous, and loving man with a great down-home sense of humor. He was always ready to help a friend, and he considered all to be his friend. Phil was a devout Catholic and was generous with his time and talent wherever needed. His faith and his family were most important to him.

Phil’s family extends their sincere appreciation and gratitude for the love and exceptional care he received at Ortega Gardens.

Phil is predeceased by his Mother, Gladys Laughter Baker and his Father, Silas Johnson, and is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Sumara Johnson, his brother Jerry Johnson (Annette), and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church 5752 Blanding Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32244.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Phil’s honor may be sent to Sacred Heart Catholic

Church.

Please post words of comfort or memories at www.hardage-giddensrivermead.com