Phillip Andrew Johncox, 73, of Longwood, Florida, died of complications following a heart attack November 29, 2019, at South Seminole Regional Hospital in Longwood, Florida, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's Disease.
Phillip was the 10th child of the late Cyrus McKinley Johncox and Anna (Bullis) Johncox of Whittier, California. The Johncox family was a pioneering family, from settling the early New York colony, to traveling by covered wagon cross-country to Washington state. Phillip's mother was descended from a great Scottish Clan Chief, Sir Douglas McCord.
While singing in the AAA Christmas Choir, in Longwood, Florida, he met Barbara Anne Morey He was a baritone with perfect pitch and she was a soprano (also with perfect pitch). It was a match made in music heaven. After five years of dating, they were married February 28, 1999, and spent many happy years traveling and going on cruises.
A Vietnam-era veteran, Phil served as a U.S. Navy Crewman aboard Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Three from 1964 to 1969. As part of a carrier-based rescue unit, he also participated in the pickup for the Gemini 11 Space Mission.
Following military service, he used the GI bill to attend Cal State Long Beach, where he earned a BS in Business Administration in 1973. During a long career, he worked as a factory representative for several major automobile companies, and later retired a co-manager of the Student Auto Skills Program at the National Office of the American Automobile Association.
Phil was an avid golfer, and could often be found on one of the many Florida golf courses he loved so much. In fact, the whole Johncox family, including the in-laws, outlaws, and assorted cousins, loved golf, and their idea of a family reunion was a golf match every year in Yakima, Washington. He always said he was surprised that they could be trusted together with clubs in their hands, but somehow or another, they all had a good time, without any injuries.
Phillip's greatest love was music, from the time he got up at the age of five at his piano recital, and instead of playing the piano, sang "Home on the Range." He was a member of many choral groups over the years, including the Annapolis Chorale in Annapolis, MD, and the Bach Choir of Winter Park, FL, of which he as a member for five years.
Mr. Johncox is survived by his wife, Barbara, of Longwood; a son, Daniel Johncox, a granddaughter, Sofia, of Brandon, FL; a daughter, Anna Pastoral, a grandson, Mark Pastoral, Jr., of Wildomar, CA; a stepdaughter, Susan Doiron , her son Cody of Atlanta, and her daughter Jenna McMillan and grandson, Asher McMillan, Merritt Island; Brett Baker, his daughter Shelby Taylor, Fairbanks, AK; son Brett Jr., of Maitland, FL; and Bart Baker, Deltona, FL; as well as two sisters: Marsha Stewart, of Apple Valley, CA; and Janis Fairall, of Vancouver, WA.
A private graveside ceremony with full military honors is planned for the future at a National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer's Association.