Patrick Michael Johnson

Patrick Michael Johnson, son of the late Charles Robert Johnson and Josephine Cecilia Johnson, was born in Gary, Indiana. As a child with a parent in the military, Patrick lived in multiple cities and states and received his primary and secondary education in Gary, Indiana; Brooklyn, New York; Great Lakes, Illinois; Brunswick, Maine; Waukegan, Illinois; Buffalo, New York, and Amherst, New York.

In 1970, his family relocated from Illinois to Buffalo, where he attended East High School for one year. He graduated from Amherst Central Senior High School in 1972. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Elementary Education from Hobart College in Geneva, New York, in 1976 and K-6 Certification in New York State in 1977. A decade later, he received a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Texas in Austin, Texas.

Patrick had a long and distinguished career as an educator and administrator. He worked as an elementary teacher in Rochester, New York. In 1991, he moved to Austin, Texas, where he worked as an elementary teacher in the Lago Vista and Austin Independent School Districts. He later served as principal at Oak Springs Elementary and Rice Elementary Schools in Austin.

Patrick embarked on a second career in education after leaving his role as principal in 1994. Other positions included educational consultant/trainer at Harcourt Steck-Vaughn Publishing Company in Austin and senior account manager and national trainer roles at the Educational Testing Service (ETS) in Princeton, New Jersey, and The Princeton Review in New York, New York.

He returned to his administrative role with school districts after a move to Washington State in 2006. He was named Director of Elementary Education at Seattle Public Schools and later Director of Equity and Academic Excellence at Tacoma Public Schools. He retired as Director of Highly Capable/Support to Equity from Tacoma Public Schools in 2018.

In 2019, Patrick returned to Austin and continued his involvement with education and social justice by leading monthly meetings on race and equity via Zoom. His vision was to broaden individuals’ knowledge of racial and cultural diversity. He also authored an educational curriculum titled Buffalo Soldier Education. The curriculum detailed the story of the U.S. Army regiments formed in the 19th century to serve on the American Frontier. The soldiers were primarily of African descent.

He brought distinction, integrity, and leadership to a lifetime of public service in education. In addition, he also had a passion for travel. His travels began with a high school trip to Mexico, and after a year abroad as a college student studying in Cairo, Egypt, he was determined to see new places. He traveled the world, visiting every continent except Antarctica. You could track him by the postcards he sent to family and friends detailing his adventures.

Although Patrick never became a father, he loved children. He considered his nephew Austin Hunter, great-nephew Aiden Hunter, and Emily, Zoey, and Charlotte, the daughters of close friends Peter and Renae Lichtenheld, his children. He enjoyed showering them with affection and gifts.

Patrick had a real zest for life. He loved hosting parties for every occasion: Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Mardi Gras, the Super Bowl, New Year’s, and, of course, his birthday. He was known for planning his parties in exact detail and diligently delegating responsibilities and tasks to his guests.

In true Patrick fashion, he left this life in the same manner he lived it by planning one final soirée, a celebration of his life. Three days before he passed, family and friends gathered at Patrick’s home to share treasured memories and say goodbye. He transitioned, knowing he was well-loved.

He was predeceased by his partner Leonard “Tony” Vigil, stepmother Gwendolyn H. Johnson, brothers Charles R., Jr., Elbert J., and Paul A. Johnson, and half sister JoAnne Workman. He is survived by sister Felicia A. Hunter, brother David A. Johnson, half-sister Annette C. Jackson, nephew Austin R. Hunter, great nephew Aiden L. Hunter, close friend Peter Lichtenheld (Renae), and a host of relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the ALS Foundation in his memory.

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