Philip Johns

Philip Johns was born into the Poozhikkala family on August 9th, 1936 in Thadiyoor, Kerala, India. He was the eldest son of the Late PJ Philip and Sosamma Philip. He grew up in a family of seven siblings, with his formative years spent between Thadiyoor and Mallappally, his maternal hometown. He graduated from Thadiyoor High School in 1952 and went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Science (BSc Physics and Mathematics) from Union Christian College, Aluva in 1956. After teaching at Salvation Army School in Trivandrum, he went on to get his Bachelor in Teaching (BT) at Madras Christian College in 1959. He then went to teach at MT High School in Kurianoor (1959), M.P.M. High School in Chungathara (1960), and Government Secondary School in Payyoli (1960-66). He went on to teach eighteen years at St Augustine’s Secondary School in Betong, Sarawak, Malaysia. While at St Augustine’s, in addition to teaching, he served as acting Principal, Science Lab Charge, warden for the boarding school, founded the Chess Club and coached boy’s volleyball. While in Malaysia, he earned a Diploma in Education from University of London as a distant-learning student. He moved to the United States in 1984 (Michigan), with teaching stints in San Antonio, Irving and Fort Worth, Texas. In 1989, at age 53, he joined National Semiconductor, Arlington and retired in 2005 at age 69 after 16 years of service. To celebrate his retirement, he went for a grand tour of China. He subsequently enjoyed frequent visits to his family home in Thadiyoor.

Philip Johns married Susy Oommen (Chethicad/Tiruvalla) on May 7, 1964 at Thadiyoor Marthoma Church. Two years later, they had their first child – Philji Philip, four years later their second child – Jiji Oommen, and five years later their third child – Jesy Susan.

Philip Johns was passionate about being a teacher and an ardent fan of local and international current events, politics and Indian history. In college, he was a table-tennis champion, with interest in cricket, tennis and volleyball. His life-long board game interests were chess, checkers, carroms and cards. He has been known to tutor co-workers in college math, neighborhood kids in high school math, teach Malayalam in church and volunteer with the Indian consulate passport services. All his children owe it to him for tutoring them at home, especially in Math and Physics. He was an active member of the Mar Thoma Church of Dallas and regularly brought the priests to visit his eldest son in Memphis, TN. Philip Johns was a Hindi and Malayalam movie/song fan, and has dabbled in learning the harmonium. He regularly took his family for Hindi movie outings in Malaysia. In addition to Malayalam and English, he spoke Tamil, Hindi and Bahasa Malaysia.

Philip Johns was methodical in his approach to life with an inherent philosophical mindset. He was a God-fearing man and has great appreciation of religion in shaping one’s life. He practiced yoga, believed in the power of ayurvedic medicine and was insightful about numerology. Though he had a quiet demeanor, he was a great conversationalist.

Philip Johns leaves behind his wife Susy; children Philji (Priya), Jiji (Jill), Jesy (Alfred); grandchildren Georgina (Austin), Hannah, Jasmine; siblings Alice/Annie Thomas (John), Susamma/Santhamma Philip (Samuel), Rachel/Ammal Thomas (late Rajan), George/Georgekutty (late), Laly Easow (John), Anna/Liza Thomas (Jayaraj) and Shaji Philip (Shirley).

Visitations will be on Sunday, August 21 at 3pm at Marthoma Church of Dallas, Carollton, followed by Funeral Service on Monday, August 22 at 10am at Marthoma Church of Dallas, Carollton, followed by Burial Service at Rolling Oaks Memorial Center, Coppell. Lunch will be served at the church after the burial service. Please remember Susy and family in your prayers.