Dr. James Archie Johnson

Dr. James A. Johnson, 82, of Huntsville, passed away peacefully October 18th after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He was born October 15, 1933 in Columbus, Texas to Peter Wilbur Johnson and Lillian Wray Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Wilbur Wray Johnson. He is survived by his wife Judy Johnson, daughter Debbie and husband Dan Waskow; daughter Lesli and husband Michael Tutt; son Jay Johnson; daughter Julie and husband Paul Picket, and six grandchildren William Johnson, Casey and Courtney Tutt, Chase Johnson, and Greg and Megan Picket; great-granddaughter Ella Rumburg. He is also survived by two sisters Beverly Peters and Carolyn Kruger and sister-in-law Peggy Johnson and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim served in the US Navy in the Korean War. He earned his bachelor's degree at Southwest Texas State University in 1958. He then earned his masters’ in counseling and his PhD in Psychology at Texas A&M and began teaching at Sam Houston State University in 1969. He was also the originating director of the Sam Houston Counseling Center. In addition to teaching graduate courses, he is most remembered for his popular Human Sexuality course. In 1997, Jim received the SHSU Excellence in Teaching Award. He retired in 2003 after 34 years of dedicated service at SHSU. Jim was an avid Aggie and Bearkat and was often seen sporting an A&M or Bearkat baseball cap. He loved being silly and telling jokes, fishing, gardening and sports of all kinds. He also loved music and loved dancing with his girls. He always looked forward to spending time with his family at the Johnson Family Reunion in ConCan, Texas, and floating the Frio River. His greatest joys were his family and giving back to his community through education. Above all, Jim was a loving and devoted husband, father and Papa, and friend to many. He will truly be missed by the lives he has touched. The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to Rena Murray, Jim’s caregiver during his final stages of Alzheimer’s. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jim’s favorite charity Wounded Warriors Project.org Services will be Friday, October 30, 2015 at 2:00 PM at the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home chapel. Full obituary may be viewed and memorial condolences made to the family at www.shmfh.com.

Dr. James Archie Johnson

October 15, 1933 - October 18, 2015