Philip Lee Johnston

Philip (Phil) Lee Johnston, 91, died peacefully at his assisted living home on September 7th, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Darlene Johnston, his brother Jean Johnston, his sister Norma Eggert, his sister Ruth Messmer, his wife Glea Johnston and his granddaughter Janie Hansen. Phil was born on November 12, 1929 at Zenda, Kansas. He was the son of Arthur and Evelyn (Bort) Johnston. He was a member of the Norwich United Methodist church. He attended grade and high school at Norwich, Kansas and graduated in 1947. Four years later he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. In 1951, Phil accepted a job with Conoco Oil and moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma. A loyal employee, he would work thirty-nine years for Conoco until his retirement. On December 28, 1951, he married Ruby Glea Smith in the Norwich Christian Church and they made their home in Ponca City until Glea passed away in 2012. Phil was baptized March 25, 1956 and Phil and Glea were members of the First Christian Church of Ponca City. They celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2011. Phil and Glea had two sons. Tim and his wife, Carolyn, reside in Bixby, Oklahoma. Tod and his husband, Mark Adams, reside in Port Townsend, Washington. He is survived by his sons, his granddaughter, Anna Lewis of Checotah, Oklahoma, six great grandchildren-Lydia, Eion, Natalie, Colton, Seth and Faith, his brother-in-law Lyle Smith and his wife, Donna and many nieces and nephews. Phil served in the National Guard of Kansas, enjoyed bowling, was a regular blood donor and traveled extensively in the United States and internationally. After retirement, Phil volunteered for over twenty years at Ponca City Medical Center. In 2012, Phil moved to an independent living apartment in Fort Lauderdale, Florida near Tod and Mark. In 2016 he moved with them to Port Townsend, Washington and resided there until his passing. Private funeral services (restricted to invited guests wearing masks) will be held on Tuesday, September 14th at 10 A.M. in the Norwich United Methodist Church, with Pastor Cathy Holley officiating. Burial will follow in the Upchurch Cemetery. Casket Bearers will be David Hayes, Shane Hilger, Eric Meyers, Rusty Siemens, Scott Strohl and Sid Strohl. Funeral arrangements by Kosec Funeral Home, Port Townsend, Washington and Livingston Funeral Home, Kingman, Kansas. Memorials may be given in his name to the Norwich High School Alumni Scholarship Foundation through Livingston Funeral Home at 620-532-3322 or at the service.