Jimmy Johnson

Lifelong Alaskan Jimmy James Johnson, 74, died Sept. 10, 2008, from complications of cancer at his home in St. Marys, surrounded by his loving family.
A funeral and potluck were held Sept. 13 at Mission Chapel in St. Marys. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Valley Bible Chalet in Indian, with a potluck after the service.
Jimmy was born July 30, 1934, to Michael and Virginia Johnson in Mountain Village. Jimmy married Dorothy Beans in Mt. Village in December 1955. Together they had seven children: Michael, Clarence, Betty, James, Kenny, Adeline and Linda.
Jimmy was a cook for the Mission at Akulurak from 1946-1950. He joined the Army National Guard in 1953 and was honorably discharged on March 27, 1956 as a qualified sharpshooter.
Jimmy began working as a cook with the Alaska Railroad at Potter Marsh, where he lived in the section house before moving to Portage. He started working on the railroad as a laborer and moved up to be a section supervisor. He worked on the Alaska railroad for 32 years before retiring on Dec. 21, 1984. He went to University of Alaska Anchorage in 1971 to finish his adult basic education and received his GED. After retiring he moved to St. Marys, where he lived out his traditional Yup'ik lifestyle fishing, hunting, camping and traveling up and down the Yukon River.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Johnson; son, James Johnson; grandchildren, Breanne Mcintosh and Bethany Mcintosh, who lived in Valdez; and Reuben Johnson, who lived in St. Marys.
Jimmy leaves behind his children, Michael Johnson of South Naknek, Clarence Johnson of St. Marys, Betty Mcintosh of Valdez, Kenny Johnson of St. Marys, Adeline Johnson of Indian, Linda Johnson of Concrete, Wash.; his grandchildren, Rene, Earl, Carlton, Katelyn and Celina Johnson; Barry, Keefe and Kalen Mcintosh; Jennifer, Janine, Christopher and Emily Arnold; and great-grandchildren, Trinity and Averee Mcintosh.