James Johnson Obituary
James (J.L.) was born in Leevale, West Virginia on July 24, 1930, son of the late Earnest Lee and Lorena Opal (Williams) Johnson. He married Mary Lewis on August 25, 1951, and she preceded him in death on May 14, 2021.
James retired as the Vice General Chairman of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees. He was a crane operator for Grand Trunk Railroad, retiring with the most seniority of machine operators on Grand Trunk Railroad. James served his country in the US Navy during the Korean War. He was an Electrician's Mate Fireman on the USS Antietam, USS Bairoko, and USS Rendova. He also served in Sub-Group One, Bremerton Pacific Fleet guarding Navy vessels.
James loved to sing with family and friends. He was a gifted gospel, country and bluegrass singer. He also loved to bowl with his friends Jim and Emma Harbert. He was an avid gardener and loved the Tigers. His greatest love was his family. He simply treasured God and his family more than anything else.
James is survived by his children: Wayne (Annette) Johnson, Danny (Debbie) Johnson, Cindy (Val) Spisich, Rebecca (Gregory) Johnson-Majcher and James (Ann Marie) Johnson, 20 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, 2 daughters-in-law, Shirley Fawcett and Tina Johnson, many other loving family members and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Mary, son, Robert Johnson, 1 granddaughter, Lisa Johnson and siblings, Doug Johnson, Marcella Headley, Betty Ehman, Opal Smith, Edgar Johnson, Annie Ruble, Dreama Chapman, and Jackie Johnson.
Please share your thoughts with the family at www.allenfuneralhomeinc.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James, please visit our floral store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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