Phillip Johnson

Phillip Wendell Johnson died on Feb. 16, 2021 at home surrounded by family in St. George, UT.  He was born in Salt Lake City, UT on March 2, 1933 to Max Wendell Johnson and Dorothy Kellogg Johnson. His family soon moved to Arizona, where Phil spent most of his life. Phil spent  childhood years, from age five to 13, in Pacific Grove, CA, which he dearly loved. Upon returning to Arizona he attended Tempe Union High School, graduating in 1952.  During his high school years he met Cleo Rosalind (Rose) Stevenson, they were true high school sweethearts. She was the only girl he ever dated before they married.

In 1953 Phil joined the United States Army during the Korean War, after serving with the Arizona Army Reserves. He served in Austria on active duty for two years. Upon his return to Arizona, he and Rose were finally married, six years after they met. They were married for 52 years.

Phil owned and operated several service stations in Flagstaff Arizona.  In 1980 he went to work for Shamrock Farms food division, doing sales with restaurants.  He worked for Shamrock for 17 years before retiring.

Rose passed away in 2007 in Snowflake Arizona.  Phil tried to fill his lonely days by serving tirelessly in The Snowflake Temple and the Family History Center.  A Sister worker at the Temple introduced Phil to her best friend Lanice Orton, who was visiting from St. George, Utah.  Lanice and Phil were married in 2009 in St. George, where he resided until his death.

Phil was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many church callings.  He and Lanice enjoyed serving in The Historic St. George Temple together, the last few years of his life.

Phil and Rose had five children, 13 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren, with more coming.

Phil is predeceased by his parents, Max and Dorothy, his wife Rose, their daughter Lori Kay and two grandchildren, Jennifer Johnson Hill and Scott Johnson.

He is survived by their four Sons, Keith (Kim) of Show Low AZ, Kerry (Carol) of Mesa AZ, Kevin (Corinne) of Flagstaff AZ and Chris (Massimiliano) of Flagstaff AZ, his little sister Bonita (Bonnie) Johnson Winter (Dave) of Sun City along with 11 grandchildren, James, David, Danielle, Steven, Devon, Marc, Austin, Ashley, Seth, Chantal and Alisa. He is also survived by his wife Fonda Lanice Johnson and her three children, Daughter Paige Dawson, and Sons Darin Limehouse, and Wade Limehouse, and brother in law Terry (Camille) Orton, Sister in law Carole Jean (Nick) Snyder, Sister in law Donna (Wayne) Shute, Brother in law Steve (Sheri) Orton.

Throughout Phil’s life he was a hard and dedicated worker in all his pursuits in life. He rarely seemed to tire, and this was true until his health failed recently after a valiant 6 year battle with cancer. He was a good Husband, father and man and will be greatly missed by his family and those who know and love him.

Services will be held on Monday, February 22, 2021 12:00 noon at Mall Drive Chapel, 259 N. Mall Dr., St. George, UT 84790, viewing will be held prior to service 11:00 to 11:45.  Interment will be at Tonaquint Cemetery.