Joseph Philip Johnson

May 12, 1939 - January 5, 2021

Joseph Philip Johnson, age 81, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Methodist Hospital in Germantown. Joe was born on May 12, 1939 in Caruthersville, Missouri, to Luther B. and Veronica Brunnert Johnson. A true family man, Joe is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy Long Johnson, his children Annalisa J. Robertson (David) and Earl Frank Johnson, grandchildren Frank Walton Robertson (Kellyn), David Lee Robertson (Dena), and Jordyn Mays Johnson, and great grandchildren Rayna, Houston, and Levi. He is also survived by his siblings Johnny (Eleanor), Margaret Coppage (Earl), Paul, Agnes Cobb and friend Les Sides, Mike (Trudy), Pat (Mary Ann), Chris (Wannie), and Gerry Wayne, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his two infant children Dorothy Jo and Joe Frank, infant brother Francis, brother Richard, sister Gertie and her husband Wayne, brother-in-law Jerry, sister-in-law Martha, and niece Ginny. Joe graduated from Caruthersville High School in 1957 and during summers worked in Idaho for the U.S. Forestry Service fighting forest fires. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Rolla with a degree in Civil Engineering and earned his Professional Engineering license in Missouri and Tennessee, and worked for Pidgeon Thomas and Skaggs Iron Works. After retiring, he and his partner started their own Structural Drafting Company. Joe was a member of OLPH Catholic Church and a lifetime member of Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed hunting and playing golf with his children, grandchildren and siblings, sketching and oil painting, and traveling with his family. Beyond his lineage and any professional accomplishments, Joe will always be remembered by the relationships he had with each and every one whose life he touched. He had a contagious sense of wonder and joy and an unparalleled, unspoken generosity to all of those he knew. Joe’s integrity and love for life was inspirational to all who had the pleasure to know him. Joe’s family will hold a private gathering for his celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, SRVS Memphis or School Sisters of Notre Dame in St. Louis.