Phillip David Johnson

Phillip David Johnson, age 51, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on December 26, 2025. Phillip was born on January 16, 1974 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is survived by his parents, David W. Johnson of Roseville, California, and Victoria Hixson Longaker of Salt Lake City, Utah. Phillip is also survived by his sister, AnNicole Meade of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

As a young boy, Phillip was a naturally coordinated athlete. Although the sport of snowboarding was just in its infancy, Phillip loved it. He credited his uncle, Timothy Hixson, for introducing him at a very early age, to both snowboarding and to hockey. He also enjoyed tennis, spending countless hours at the Salt Lake Tennis Club. A very talented photographer, he received a number of awards for his landscape photographs. Phillip loved to compose music and he would sit for hours at his computer and keyboard writing original compositions. He had an inquisitive mind and loved to read. One of his favorite authors was J.R.R. Tolkien.

His early education included Uinta and Indian Hills elementary schools, along with Rowland Hall where he excelled in debate competition. By his mid-20’s Phillip moved to Phoenix, where he eventually started working for American Express. He was unusually gifted in his intuitive understanding of technology. He ultimately advanced to the position of a Director at American Express. In that role, he traveled frequently for business that took him to Australia and England. In addition, he was often in New York and Atlanta on business assignments.

Phillip was challenged by mental health issues for most of his life. Those issues ultimately took a toll on his successful business career as well as his personal life. Despite the mental health challenges that Phillip faced for decades associated with his bipolar disorder, he felt it important to always try to move forward, to fight through the difficult days and to help others who faced similar problems with depression, substance abuse and trauma. At the time of his passing, he was employed as a case manager in the mental and behavioral health industry. He was happiest helping others to face their challenges.

Phillip was much loved and will be sorely missed by his family and friends who experienced the pleasure – and sometimes the challenges – of this remarkably talented man.

A graveside gathering will be held at the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in Salt Lake City, Utah at 1:00 P.M. on the 11th day of April, 2026.