Obituary of Matthew Fox Johnson

Matthew Fox Johnson, 60, of Spring City passed away suddenly at Phoenixville Hospital on Saturday, December 11^th, 2021.

Matthew was born in Norristown, PA. He lived most of his life in the Spring-Ford area and graduated from Spring-Ford High School in 1979 where he was an active part of the Track & Field and football teams.  He worked at the former Budd Co of Phoenixville operating machines and then was the primary employee running the shipping/receiving department putting in 23 years. When Budd Co closed its doors, he was considered invaluable in the smooth transition of the shipping/receiving operation from Budd Co Polychem Division to Brentwood Industries of Reading where he dedicated another 18 years in shipping/receiving, becoming supervisor, and then Logistics Coordinator for Brentwood Industries. Matthew was very proud of his 41 years at the same job and the blessing it allowed for him to provide for his family and to bless others. Matthew had a great rapport with the trucking companies and was a valuable asset as he could configure in his mind how to pack a truck in the most efficient way saving the company money. He took his position as the safety/hazmat person very seriously and was often the “go-to” guy for many of his co-workers.

Matthew had a love of music that showed itself in so many ways throughout his life. He took guitar lessons at age 26 when gifted a guitar from a high school friend who had passed. That guitar changed his life. He realized he was blessed with an ear for music. If he heard it, he could play it. He played lead guitar, keyboard, and vocals with The Cross-Country Band for 10 years which is how he met his wife, Brenda. He shared his musical gifts abundantly with Grace Lutheran Church of Royersford whether he was “Mr. Matt” teaching and performing with the Cherub Choir, putting on his “Mr. Matt the Music Guy” hat during Vacation Bible School, or adding his guitar and vocals to the Spirit of Grace praise team. Matthew was instrumental in getting the praise team up and running through the generous use of his equipment. He was honored to be a part of such a great ministry.  Matthew’s deep love of music was his gift to share with everyone. Matt also enjoyed working on computers/laptops. But his biggest hobby was all things involving trains. He loved trains all his life from his 1^st train set. He enjoyed HO scale trains, attending train shows, riding trains, fixing engines, doing custom paint jobs, making custom train cars, and sharing his latest project. It was a hobby that involved his family.

Matthew’s love of trains came second only to the love of his life: his family. Matthew and his wife, Brenda made a home in Spring City with their two daughters, Nicole and Madison. Matt and Brenda recently celebrated 31 years of marriage. Matthew was dedicated to his entire family and it was common knowledge that if you needed anything, you could count on Matt/Uncle Matt/”Mr. Matt”. His deep generosity and kindness were felt by everyone who knew him and will be deeply missed.

Matthew was preceded in death by his parents, Charles “Pete” Johnson and Genevieve (Fox) Johnson, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Matthew is survived by his wife, Brenda Johnson; daughter and son-in-law, Nicole and Salvatore Bello; daughter, Madison Johnson; sister, Gale Hitchens; brothers, Luke Johnson and Dean Johnson, and his in-laws, many nieces and nephews, a grandniece, and grandnephews, including his Goddaughter, Desire (Mercer) Wenz.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 16^th at Grace Lutheran Church on the corner of Main Street and 6^th Ave, Royersford, Pennsylvania at 9:30 – 11:00 AM in the Welcome Center  The church service will follow in the sanctuary beginning at 11:00 am.**Masks Are Required**. The church parking lot has access on the 500 block of Church Street.

Online condolences can be made at www.sgsfuneralhome.com.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (rrmuseumpa.org). All arrangements are being handled by Shalkop, Grace & Strunk Funeral Home, Inc Spring City, PA.