Philip Alan Johnson, 64, beloved husband and father, succumbed to his long and arduous battle with stage 4 metastatic lung cancer on October 11, 2024. He passed away in the arms of his devoted wife Barbara amid the comfort and familiarity of his home.  A Celebration of Life visitation will take place from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at Miller Southside Chapel, with cremation to follow.

Phil was the only child born to Ernestine Yvonne Cooper and Freeman Paul Johnson on December 2, 1959, in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. At the age of 8, Ernestine died from the effects of a cerebral tumor, leaving Phil in the care of the foster system. He often praised his foster mother Cora Davis who fostered him with love and patience.

At 18, he finished Army boot camp and subsequently traveled to Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he established his lifelong residency. Phil drove a taxi for the city for 8 years among other jobs. There he married Lisa Neuroth, adopting her daughter Sharona. Together they gave birth to a daughter, Stacia, in 1988. Eventually, they divorced in 1997.

In 2012, Phil met Barbara Jean Thompson. On July 15, 2014, they wed in a sunny outdoor ceremony at Japanese Gardens in Sioux Falls. While Barbara worked as a registered nurse, Phil became the night shift coordinator and forklift operator for Berry Global Plastics. Their leisure time was spent enjoying Phil's passion for riding thrill rides and roller coasters at Valley Fair in Shakopee, Minnesota. He also enjoyed long country drives, Star Trek movies, the 007 Bond spy series, Tom Cruise movies, Marvel adventures, and sharing these hobbies with his other daughter, Kyia Kendall Johnson.

Phil was surprisingly diagnosed with his cancer in 2021. The brain tumors were treated with radiation and the advanced lung cancer was treated with monthly chemo treatments. He held his own until he was set back by lung damage and the after-effects of cancer treatments. He fought long and hard, always presenting a positive attitude. Phil lived life on his own terms, enjoying every moment with his wife and children and rescue cat Tasha.

Missing his witty chatter and remarkable intelligence are his wife, Barbara; daughters, Sharona (Mike Peplinski) Neuroth, Stacia Johnson, and  Brooklyn Miller; and son, Benjamin Boone. Phil was extremely proud of his 8 talented, beautiful, handsome grandchildren and they will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Kyia Kendall Johnson.

The family wishes to thank all the friends and family who offered prayers during his long battle.