Stephen Warfield Johnson

Stephen Warfield Johnson passed away on November 29, 2024 in Tampa, Florida at the age of 70. Steve was born in Bethesda, Maryland on December 14, 1953 to Dan and Josephine Johnson. The son of a World War II pilot who, after the war flew for Eastern airlines, Steve moved around the country throughout his early childhood living for periods of time in Charlotte, North Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia. The family eventually landed in Miami, Florida where Steve completed middle and high school. After high school, Steve attended the University of Florida for both his undergraduate studies and law school. After working in insurance defense for a few years in Miami after law school, Steve took a job in the early 1980s as an attorney in Leesburg, Florida at a local firm that became known at the time as McLin, Burnsed, Morrison & Johnson. Steve would remain with McLin Burnsed for nearly his entire career, including serving as the firm’s managing partner for many years. Steve was a skilled litigator and an expert education lawyer – serving as counsel for the Lake County School Board for over thirty-five years and the Villages Charter School system for over a decade. Shortly after moving to Leesburg, Steve met and married Ann Johnson. Together they created a wonderful life for their children and grandchildren and were largely involved in the local community. A few years after Ann passed in 2014, Steve met Jayne Wakeman and they married 2018. They remained married until Jayne’s passing earlier this year. Steve spent as much of his spare time as he could on the golf course – a hobby that he enjoyed with his friends, son, and grandson throughout his life. Steve also enjoyed watching anything where the Florida Gators were competing. He is survived by his son, Christopher Johnson, and daughter-in-law, Monica Johnson, his brother Breck Johnson and sister-in-law Robin Layman, and his sister Diane Johnson. Steve is also survived by his grandchildren, Austin (31), Beckam (15), Kennedy (12), Caden (7), and Camila (4). Steve was predeceased by his wife, Ann Johnson, his second wife, Jayne Wakeman, his stepson, Michael Wood, his brother, Brian Johnson, and his sister, Gail Salzburg. Memorial services will be performed at Beyers Funeral Home in Leesburg on December 7, 2024. An informal visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. with the service to start at 1:30 p.m. A reception will follow in the Parrish Hall at St. James Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Lake County or Make-A-Wish of Northern Florida. Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home of Leesburg, Florida.

Stephen Warfield Johnson

December 14, 1953 - November 29, 2024