Neil Pascal Johnson

Neil Pascal Johnson, 94, of Milton, Georgia, passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.

Neil P., as he was called by many folks, was born May 23,1928 in Mitchell County, Georgia to James and Fred Johnson. He was the sixth of their twelve children and grew up on their various farms in Mitchell County. He remained on the farm for a year after graduating in 1945 as Class Valedictorian from Pelham High School in Pelham, GA. Beginning his college career in the fall of 1946, he completed two years of study at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia and in 1947 enrolled in the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia where he received his B.S. Degree in Agricultural Engineering in August of 1949. In less than three years he obtained his degree with Phi Kappa Phi Honors while earning the major portion of his college expenses. Upon graduation he began teaching adult education agricultural classes at Sycamore High School in Sycamore, Georgia. After a short stint with International Harvester, Neil P. began a career with the Federal Land Bank Association, a part of the Farm Credit System, where he would work for almost 40 years. He completed his career with the Farm Credit Administration.

In 1950 Neil P. married Ella Joyce Whittington. They were married for 62 years and had two sons, Daniel (Danny) Neil Johnson and Michael (Mike) Wayne Johnson. The family lived in Ashburn, Athens, and Sylvester, Georgia, before moving to Pensacola, Florida in 1958 and to Marianna, Florida in 1962 where lifelong friendships were developed. Neil P. served in the local Kiwanis Club, taught boys Sunday School at First Baptist Church, and drove the van full of band instruments for the Marianna High School Band for thousands of miles. No matter where he resided, Neil P. always planted a vegetable garden! With his lifelong agricultural background these gardens produced prolific quantities of vegetables like okra, pole beans, and squash! In his most senior years, with several changes of residence, somewhere on the property he found a spot to plant and grow flowers and vegetables to share with the neighbors.

In the golden years, Neil P. and Joyce traveled in their R.V. around the United States seeing many different locales and square dancing their way across America. They operated out of their home base in the Atlanta, Georgia area where they settled after coming off the road. As always, Neil P. made lasting friendships in each of the various places he lived in the later years. Of course, he always had something growing in the window or on the grounds wherever he lived.

Neil P. was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a good son, a good brother, a loyal friend, a good neighbor, a devoted husband, and a trusted business associate. His entire family is immensely grateful for the many years we had him in our lives. He will be missed, but we know without a doubt that we will see him again when we also come into the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is finally home after a well lived life.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce W. Johnson, his parents James and Freddie Johnson, and eight of his siblings. Neil is survived by his sons and their families: Daniel (Danny) and Pam Johnson of Alpharetta, GA; Michael (Mike) and Lauren Johnson of Pensacola, FL; his grandchildren, Benjamin Johnson and Julie of Woodstock, GA; Christin Johnson Burkhalter and Thad of Marion, AR; Leanne Johnson McLeod and Matt of Pensacola, FL; Miriam Johnson Camp and Kenneth of Roswell, GA; Mitchell Johnson of Pensacola, FL; and Jed Johnson and Jenny of Franklin, TN. His great-grandchildren are Emmeline and Lillian Johnson of Woodstock, GA; Porter and Rhett Burkhalter of Marion, AR; Sumner and Sanders McLeod of Pensacola, FL; Samuel, Mary Laura, and Mavis Camp of Roswell, GA; and James, Perry, and Natalie of Franklin, TN. He is survived by his siblings and sisters-in-law Wayne Johnson and Evalyn of Cedar Hill, OK; Mary Ann Johnson of Warner Robins, GA; Fred Johnson and Betty of Pelham, GA; Eudene Johnson of Jefferson, GA; Shirley Johnson of Moultrie, GA; and Rita Johnson of Hartsfield, GA. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews.

Neil P. will be laid to rest, next to Joyce, in Arlington Memorial Park, Sandy Springs, GA.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Neil P. will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023, in the Chapel of the First Baptist Church of Alpharetta, 44 Academy Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. with the celebration to follow at 12:00 noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Seniors’ Ministry at the First Baptist Church of Alpharetta known as First City Prime. Gifts can be received online through the church website at www.fbca.com.

The family would like to thank all of the caregivers who have attended to Neil P. in recent years and especially to the staff of The Phoenix at Milton for their support and assistance of Neil P. during his time in their facility the last two years.