Patrick "PK" Kelly Johnson Sr.

Patrick Kelly Johnson, Sr., known to all as PK, passed peacefully on Sunday, January 4, 2026, surrounded by love and family.

A graveside service to honor Patrick’s life will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, January 8th at Cedar Grove Cemetery, officiated by Pastor Rylan Jones.

PK was born on December 11, 1928, in Washington, Pennsylvania, and lived a life defined by faith, service, devotion, and quiet leadership.

PK was the beloved husband of Norma Hocking Johnson, with whom he shared 72 years of marriage-partnership marked by loyalty, faith, and deep affection. He was a proud father to two sons: Patrick Kelly Johnson, Jr., and his wife Deborah, of Surf City, North Carolina, and Kane Rick Johnson, and his wife Megan, of Newport, North Carolina.

He was a devoted grandfather to Patrick Johnson, Tate Johnson (Elly Johnson), Brooke Johnson (Christy Johnson), Alex Padgett (Andrew Padgett), and Allison Ellingsworth (Joshua Ellingsworth), and a cherished great-grandfather to Fitzpatrick, Smithwick, Tatum, Ellie, and Scottie, each of whom brought him immense pride and joy.

PK proudly served his country as a United States Marine, enlisting in 1948 and serving until his retirement in 1968. During his twenty years of service, he was deployed five times, including tours in Cuba, Korea, and Vietnam. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained during the Korean War—an honor he carried humbly and with deep respect for those he served alongside.

A man of strong faith, PK was deeply active in the Church of Christ, where he faithfully served as a Deacon. He was especially passionate about teaching and often led Sunday School, sharing wisdom, scripture, and encouragement with generations of congregants. His faith guided his life, his leadership, and his love for others.

Outside of his military and church service, PK found joy in the outdoors. He loved fishing, camping, and was an avid sports fan--loving nearly every sport except the NBA, a distinction he made sure everyone knew. He also gave back to his community as a Little League and t-ball coach in Newport, where he made history as the first to coach an integrated team, leading with fairness, respect, and quiet conviction. PK was very involved with multiple committees for the Town of Newport.

PK will be remembered as a man of integrity, unwavering faith, steady strength, and deep love for his family and country. His legacy lives on in the generations he helped raise, the lives he touched, and the example he set through service, humility, and kindness.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

PK was preceded in death by his father, James Johnson; mother, Anne Johnson; and brother, James Johnson.

As an expression of sympathy, flowers are welcome.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory, Morehead City, NC.