Phillip Andrew Johnson Sr.

He was the son of Wesley and Genora Johnson, both Tennesseans. He graduated from Madison High School, where he played trumpet and served as field commander for the marching band, which played for the John Kennedy parade when the President came to Nashville. He was a part of the Ramblers, a popular jazz band. Phillip played both baseball and football.

He was married June 25th, 1965 to Barbara Brinkley and had 2 children, Chip Johnson (Lebanon, TN married to Gala Johnson) and Shelley Meredith (Fairborn, OH married to Norman Meredith).

In October 1989 he married Patricia Schmidt Van Atta Johnson, artist, and her two sons Chris Van Atta (Coeur d'Alene, ID married to Katy Van Atta) and Troy Van Atta (Franklin, TN married to Paige Van Atta).

Mr. Johnson was someone who had a tremendous sense of humor and enjoyed the humor of others. He was always anxious to learn and never shied away from critical thinking. He asked tough questions and truly listened to the answers.

He valued hard work, as well as, ambition. Phillip spent most of his working life in financial services from a credit manager to financial advisor, working at both AXA-Equitable as a District Manager and Registered Representative and for SunTrust/Truist Bank as a VP Financial Advisor until retirement in 2015. He took his career seriously as he tried to help people realize their dreams. He sacrificed a great deal to provide for his children, especially providing for their education.

He loved Patricia, his family and friends. He loved music, especially jazz, but he also had eclectic taste in music. He was a collector of cars and was always looking for houses that just needed some love. He viewed all of them as a works of art. He particularly enjoyed classic Mercedes because of their quality and class. These were qualities he always aspired to himself. Driving was one of his great joys and he and Pat were always taking drives, often with the top down.

Mr. Johnson attended Madison Church of Christ during his first marriage, but from 1989 attended First Baptist Church in downtown Nashville where his wife Patricia had been a member since birth. He and Pat loved the Coile Sunday School class. He was on the founding board of the Friends of South Cumberland and served in several positions as well as conducted successful fund-raising campaigns from 1993 to 2010. He was awarded the prestigious Jim Prince Award from the Friends. He was past president, treasurer and board member for the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra from 2003 to 2012. Phillip received many awards as a financial advisor, too many to mention.

He is survived by his wife Patricia; Children: Shelley Johnson Meredith, Chip Johnson, Troy Van Atta, Chris Van Atta and Sheena Shelton-Glasener; Grandchildren: Casey Meredith, Carey Meredith, Caleb Meredith, Stevi Johnson, Jonathan Johnson, Braden Johnson, Kate Johnson, Zachary Johnson, Geran Van Atta, Shannon Flury, Dean Van Atta, and Josh Jackson; and Great Grandchildren Lucas Conner, Keller Jackson, Jones Jackson, Evelyn Brown, and Johnny Jackson.

A Celebration of Life Service to be held at eleven o'clock in the morning on Friday, June 11 at First Baptist Church, 7th and Broad, Nashville TN 37203. A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held from ten-thirty in the morning until time of service at eleven. A Graveside Service will be held at one o'clock in the afternoon on Friday, June 11 at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 660 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN 37204 in Fountain Garden A.