John Patrick Johnson

John P. “Johnny” Johnson died peacefully on August 5, 2026, surrounded by people who loved him. His daughter, Janet(Angel) Curtin, perhaps said it best: “My Dad walked me into this world in 1966, and I had the privilege of walking him out in 2026.”

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, James and Janet Johnson, and his brother, Jimmy Johnson, all of whom moved to Daphne, AL when he was 7yrs old from Hackensack, NJ

He graduated Fairhope High School, (where he met Patricia Hall and became parents to Janet, remaining in Baldwin County until the end of his life.

An engineer in the Merchant Marines, Johnny spent much of his working life at sea before retiring in the mid-1990s. It was a life that suited him—and one that supplied more than a few of the stories, expressions and traditions that followed him home. His place in Summerdale, out on County Road 9—or, as Johnny would quickly correct you, “Lower Marlow”—was affectionately known as Shaft Alley, named for the part of the ship where you were most likely to find him working, along with the boiler room.

And Shaft Alley became a destination all its own.

Johnny loved his dogs and cats, his many friends, good food, loud music, lively conversation and a reason to get everybody together. His parties and epic bonfires at Shaft Alley were legendary fun and Everyone was welcome, everybody could let loose, the food was good, the music was loud, and somehow the conversations and laughter managed to be even louder.

In the old days, Johnny could also be found enjoying places like Manci’s, The Rebel, The Wooden Nickel, and Judges. Way back when—as he would undoubtedly point out—they were still the places he remembered. But as much fun as there was to be had elsewhere, the best party usually ended up being at Johnny’s house.

For 38 years, Johnny shared his life with his longtime partner and dear companion, Mildred Thompson, who brought him great happiness. Through Mildred, his family grew in ways that had nothing to do with blood and everything to do with love. Mildred’s daughter and son-in-law, Amanda and Lewis Reynolds, gave Johnny two boys who became his grandsons in every way that mattered: James and John Reynolds. They were quite simply the light of the last 20 years of his life.

Johnny was a man of details—a trait those closest to him lovingly described as being the “master of minutia.” He planned things thoroughly, handled practical matters directly and had a remarkable ability to make even life’s most difficult conversations seem matter-of-fact and manageable.

Perhaps nothing illustrates that better than the fact that 28 years ago, Johnny planned, purchased and paid for his own funeral, right down to the last detail. His instructions to Janet (Angel) were characteristically clear: “Don’t you change anything and put me in a fancier casket.”

Years ago, he even showed her the folder containing all the papers she would eventually need. When the time finally came for Janet (Angel) to retrieve it, there it was, exactly where Johnny said it would be. On the front, he’d drawn a smiley face and a sad face and left one final message:

“So long and toodle loo!”

And just as he’d intended all those years ago, it brought a smile and a chuckle during one of the hardest moments.

Johnny leaves behind his daughter, Janet (Angel) Curtin and husband Jack Curtin; his beloved partner of 38 years, Mildred Thompson; Amanda and Lewis Reynolds; James and John Reynolds; his much-loved extended family; and a lifetime’s worth of friends who knew that when Johnny opened his home, there was always room for one more!

On his final night, Johnny was once again surrounded by his people. They gathered around him with love, and he peacefully reached the end of a long, singular ride.

The engineer had planned nearly every detail of his departure years before.

And so, we’ll let Johnny have the last word…

So long and toodle loo, Dad. 🩵

(Dad requested no flowers and nothing is needed, just share a story together and have a laugh! If you insist on doing something, he donated to St Jude’s)