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Philip B. Johnson

Philip Johnson Obituary

Philip B. JOHNSON Phil, aged 63, passed away with remarkable grace and courage on March 18. A native Seattleite, Phil graduated from Roosevelt HS in 1966, joined the Merchant Marine soon after, and worked on the UW campus for 33 years. Phil had a voracious appetite for the printed word. He understood the tragedy of war and he visited Gettysburg. He possessed a keen intelligence and a natural wit. Phil was particularly astute about human nature, leaving an indelible impression on the people who knew him. He conversed easily with most anyone because of his curiosity, sense of humor, and his open mind. He knew when to dress for dinnerâ€"and how to wear a fish tie. Phil sailed most of his life and weathered a storm or two. He loved Montana and Lummi almost as much as his boat, the North Dog. He was honest and loyal. Phil always gave more than he took. Phil was preceded in death by his parents, J. Edward and Catherine Sherriff Johnson, and by his birth mother, Marjorie McFaden. He is survived by his wife Carrie, brothers Rob and Bruce (Janine), niece Stephanie and grandnieces Grace and Ella, nephews Louis and Dylan, his cousin Jan (Eric) and many, many people who loved him. Donations can be made to the Northwest Kidney Center or Planned Parenthood. A celebration will be held on Easter in Ravenna Park. 'Let's touch!'

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times from Mar. 27 to Apr. 1, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Philip Johnson

21 Entries

Dorothy Bowman

March 21, 2020

We would be having big conversations about the state of the USA and the world. It would be marvelous. Phil was such good company and there is still that spot in my heart that waits to hear him again.

Paul Smith

March 21, 2019

I will be with you all this Easter, at least in spirit. Hopefully the annual Ravennah Park picnic is still alive and well. I remember well the first one, Easter Sunday, 1977. My father, also a good friend to Phil, had just passed away (April 12th, on his birthday). Phil suggested a picnic to remember him and to console my grieving mother (also a good friend to Phil). Phil was not only a dear friend but also the brother I always wanted. Rest in Peace my friend. We will have much to discuss when we meet again!

Carrie

April 13, 2012

We just celebrated Easter at Ravenna Park...maybe 35 years? It was strange without Phil. He was one of the founders of the ritual and kept it alive. People commented that Phil always made people feel welcome; he talked to everyone. We had wonderful weather this year and the tradition is alive and well with the spirit of the young holding a candle for our dear Phil.

If you want a place to sit and ponder, Phil's UW crew planted a tree for him at Sakuma Viewpoint Park, on the UW campus: Boat St., next to Agua Verde Cafe. You will see a beautiful crab apple (Malus 'Adirondack') on the bank, in the hypericum. Sit down and check out the boats on Portage Bay. Love to our wise and generous friend. xxoo

Diane Kenney

May 15, 2011

I wish we could have known him, Carrie. But his beautiful spirit shines through you. Our hearts go out to you!

Gretchen (Van Horn)Hansen

April 26, 2011

Phil,whether it was coloring in speech class in second grade, or trick or treating on a cold, drizzly Halloween, you always had a great story to tell!

Judy and Dan

April 23, 2011

Phil,
We will miss you. Love to you dear Carrie.
Judy Walker(Motulsky) and Dan Bonow

Helen

April 14, 2011

Phil was one of a kind and made an indelible impression on my memory. I visited him in Virginia (where I live), Washington, D. C., Seattle and on his beloved boat. Always he kept me laughing and impressed with his intelligence and insight. May he soar forever. Aunt Helen

alan pedersen

April 13, 2011

I met Phil in junior high but our friendship matured many years later. I am very grateful that we got to spend much quality time together in the last couple of decades.We had a solid connect about politics, relationships and the day to day life of a lunch box larry working man. You had Heart Philip,and a keen sensitivity compassion and empathy for the struggles americans as well as the other peoples on this planet face every day of their lives. You had the rare ability to maintain a sense of humor about life while realizing the painful tragedies and injustices that create these situations in the our world. You had the same ability to view your own trials and tribulations with a sense of humor serious and painful as they were. You were one of the most well read people i have known, your thirst for american history was remarkable and your memory precise.from where i sit i am convinced that you had no illusions about mortality when we were out on the North Dog many years ago you said to me, well this too will pass, and one of your favorite sayings was "we are all in the same boat and none of us is going to get out of it alive" There was never any question about who was the captain! You were always there for me Phil ,I love and salute but i expect i will see you again!farewell my friend, Alan

George Liu

April 3, 2011

Phil:
Your sense of humor will be missed. Good sailing, amigo.

Stephanie Waterman

April 3, 2011

Phil and I went to grade school and high school together. He was a fun loving, crazy, sweet guy. Always fun to talk with, and usually smiling. I saw him frequently because I had a twin brother that played with Phil. His memory leaves a smile on my face, God bless him and his family. Stephanie (Chilton) Waterman

April 3, 2011

Oh God, Phil was one of a kind! A proud fighter and a brilliant wit. A genuinely loving man. A good friend for forty some odd years. He will always be an important part of our family and missed and remembered forever. Sheila O'Toole Domon, Reardan, WA

Juanita (Collins) Neitling

April 1, 2011

I met Phil when he was a busboy at Mojies, the neighborhood restaurant. He became part of our family for a long time, mostly because he was so funny and so lovable. I know his life was not always easy but he has a special place in my heart.

April 1, 2011

Phil was one of the most original thinkers I ever met. A conversation with "Mouse" was never dull because it was impossible to predict what angle he would take on any subject. Our chats always produced ideas and that's a rarity. Via bien

David McArthur

April 1, 2011

To borrow a line from the notorius Phil Spectre, "To know him is to love him," that certainly describes our Phil. His infectious charm sparkled its way into the lives all of who knew him. He could be outrageous then logical, then turn that around to be outrageously logical. I count my retreats at the Lummi Cottage with Carrie and him as some of my personally favorite momentos. I will sorely miss Phil; however, we all will continue to have his gentle spirit dancing in our hearts. For this I am truly thankful.

Paul Smith

April 1, 2011

Phil, you were the brother I never had but always wanted. Your wit, intellect, counsel and friendship will be sorely missed. Although your spirit has moved on, your memory burns brightly in the hearts of many.

Joan Bowman Siegel

March 31, 2011

Phil was a larger-than-life addition to the Bowman family. I think I loved him most when he was annoying our mom; once she made him duct-tape his mouth shut just so she wouldn't have to listen to him any more. But as much as he irritated her - on purpose of course!- she too grew to love him as much as the rest of us. He was one of the kindest people I know; he rarely spoke ill of anyone and hated to listen to others say unkind things about anyone else. He always remembered birthdays and anniversaries and I looked forward to the cards he'd send because they never failed to make me laugh. I cherished the times he would pick up the phone and call me out of the blue just to ask how I was doing. I will miss him greatly.

Warren Bowman

March 30, 2011

Dorothy and I have always enjoyed and loved Phil. He had an amazing range of knowledge and could discuss most subjects well. He was gregarious, funny, deep, loyal, and loving. He was a pure optomist, he would find something good in the worst situation. His handling of his long illness attests to that optomism. Rarely did he complain. He loved Carrie. He was a really good man and will be missed by all of us.
Warren and Dorothy Bowman, Billings, Mt.

Anne Sudkamp

March 30, 2011

My family met Phil as part of Carrie's family. He would go on to be a "go-to" guy for me - the guy I could always call and say hi too. "Is this Anne, Anne of Alaska?" he'd ask jokingly, then follow it with "And how is Helen of Fairbanks?" to inquire about our daughter. I'll always remember him as a passionate, kind man who always had time for my family.

Marcia Trepp

March 29, 2011

I met Phil at Roosevelt High School. He had a great sense of humor and was always fun to be around. In 1991 when our daughter needed a wheel chair ramp in order to leave the house, Phil was one of the volunteers who helped make that happen. He planted and watched over the grass next to the ramp. No one asked him to do it, he just did it out of the kindness of his heart. Our family will never forget Phil

Kevin Feldman

March 27, 2011

Phil was such a lovely guy - I first met Phil in Jr High and loved his outrageous humor, style, and zest for life... over the years he was
always a kind hearted delightful person to be with... everyone who
knew Phil will miss him dearly...

Kevin Feldman
[email protected]

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