James W. Johnson

James Wilburn Johnson was born to the late Flora Mae Keel Johnson and Johnnie Milton Johnson on November 11, 1919 in Ida, Louisiana. He went peacefully home to his Heavenly Father on August 4, 2008. James’ mother died when he was a young child and he was raised by his grandparents, Amanda and Stonewall Jackson Keel. His family worked in the oil industry in southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana throughout his early childhood. In the mid 1930s, the oil field work took the family to Kilgore, Texas where James attended Kilgore High School. He joined the rest of his family in oilfield work when he was just seventeen years of age. James learned the value of hard work and that lesson stayed with him throughout his life. James joined the Army Air Corps in 1941. During World War II, he served in the military police and reached the rank of Tech Sergeant. He received the American Theatre Service Ribbon, Victory Medal, American Defense Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal for his service. When the war ended in 1945, he was stationed in Wisconsin where he met and married, Betty Schultz Johnson. They initially returned to Kilgore, Texas, but soon moved to Huntsville, Texas to attend Sam Houston State Teachers College. In 1951, James bought “the farm” and began a dairy business which he operated for the next several years. During that time, James and Betty had four children. James went to work for the Texas Department of Corrections in 1958 and the family moved to the Wynne State Farm. He was soon recognized for his knowledge of agriculture and elevated to the position of Farm Manager. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 1982. Following retirement, he again returned to the farm, raised beef cattle, and spent countless hours enjoying his family. Another important role in his life was that of a Mason. He joined the Danville Lodge #101 A.F. & A.M., in Kilgore, Texas in 1941. He expanded his involvement in 1944 when he joined the Scottish Rite and received his 32 degree in Masonry. Also he became a Shriner with the Moslah Temple in Fort Worth, Texas. At the time of his death, James had been a proud and active Mason for more than 65 years. On October 11, 1974, James married his second wife, Shirley Parten Johnson who had two children, Norman and Stan. James took an active role in their lives as their father. As a blended family, they were all one and his to love. He and Shirley had been married for nearly 34 years at the time of his death. With the birth of his first grandchild in 1977, he became known as “Papa” and took on one of the most important roles of his life. He was actively involved in the lives of his grandchildren. They loved him with all their hearts, as he did them. It was the type of relationship that most grandparents can only hope for, but Papa truly attained. James was always willing to help others. He was blessed with many friends and a strong loving family. He is survived by: his children – daughter, Mary and her husband, Jack of Huntsville; son, Steve and his wife, Kim of New Braunfels, Texas; daughter, Melissa and her husband, Alan of Las Cruces, New Mexico; son, Stan, of Teague, Texas; his grandchildren – Rachelle Wood, Tracie Wood, Matthew Johnson, Michael Johnson, Lauren Johnson, Daniel Fisher, Lydia Fisher, and Sydni Duke; great grandchild – Kenzi Wood; and his very special cousin, Jack Collum of Kilgore, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents; his brother, John; his sons - Daniel Jon Johnson and Norman Lee Duke; and his grandson - Justin Edward Wood. During the last years of his life, he lived at Timberwilde where he became very close to the family of Rick and Sylvia Culver. The feeling was mutual and their children, Katrina and Karly, had a very special place in his heart. Visitation will be held at the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The funeral service will be held Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 2 pm at the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral home in Huntsville. He was a member of Northside Baptist Church and Rev. Reagan Cooksey will be officiating. Pallbearers are Milton Kroesche, Wayne Prentice, Randy Yancy, Bob Knight, Earl McWhorter, Rick Culver, Mike Cockcroft, and Justin Cockcroft. Honorary Pallbearers (from his much loved morning coffee group) are Billy Curry, Earnest Jannett, Earl Patterson, Red McKaskle, J.W. Clark, Billy Read, and Norman Matthews. Interment will follow at Adickes Addition of Oakwood Cemetery with military honors provided by American Legion Post #618 of Willis followed by Masonic Rites by Forrest Lodge # 19 A.F. & A.M. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.shmfh.com.

James W. Johnson

November 11, 1919 - August 7, 2008