Phillip Johnson

Monday, June 3, 2024 6:15 am

Phillip John Johnson (PJ), 75, of Ridgeway, peacefully passed away on May 29, 2024, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 13, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Inwood Ballroom in Spillville.

PJ was born on Aug. 20, 1948, in Decorah, during the fair to parents Carroll “Kelly” and Gertrude Johnson.

He graduated from Crestwood in 1966. After high school he worked at the Chrysler Factory in Belvidere, Illinois, but lived in Rockford.

He joined the Navy in 1968.  He did boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center for Interior Communication Electrician.  Then he was stationed on board the USS Grasp 25 in Guam.  He went to the Philippines to Divers School and then to DaNang Vietnam to connect back to the USS Grasp.  They served 3 campaigns there.  Between campaigns they were in Hong Long, Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, and Vietnam and Guam. He was then transferred to the USS Chowanoc ATF100, which was an ocean-going tugboat.  He boarded this ship in Singapore where they hooked on a large barge and pulled it to San Diego, California after stopping in Hawaii.  It was a slow boat at only 3 nautical miles per hour.  PJ was discharged in San Diego, Calif., in February of 1972. Medals received were National Defense Service Medal, US Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation.

PJ attended North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City and lived in Nora Springs.  After graduating with an associate degree in refrigeration started his very successful business, Four Seasons Refrigeration which he ran for over 30 years.

On May 2, 1980, he was married to Kathy Timmerman. They lived on the edge of Ridgeway then built a place and lived south of Ridgeway on the Conover Road.

PJ loved riding his Harley, hunting, fishing, camping, and working on the place.  He was a lover of animals of all kinds.  He loved people and loved to gather with them and have a good time.  A very talented man, who could fix anything that was broke.

He is sadly missed and survived by his wife of 44 years Kathy; one brother Stan Johnson (Lois); two nephews, Chris Johnson and Mike Johnson; great nephew Eli; first cousins that were as close as brothers and sister: David Bakken (Kathy), Rod Bakken (Nancy) and Sarah Collins (Tom); sister-in-laws, Shelly Johnson (Craig), Renee Smith (George) along with their families; brother-in-law, Don Timmerman (Sue) and their family.

Preceding him in death were Father Carroll “Kelly” Johnson, Mother Gertrude Johnson; grandparents Olaf and Myrtle Johnson, John and Anna Gesell.