James Phagan Johnson

James Phagan Johnson was born in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado to James and Margaret Johnson on March 6, 1935, and passed away in Anthem, Arizona on February 7, 2026, less than a month shy of his 91st birthday.

Jim was raised along with his brothers Dan and Dean on a ranch in First View, Colorado, so named because it was the first view westbound settlers had of Pikes Peak and the Rocky Mountains. He was the grandson of a settler from Illinois who moved west in search of better opportunities, and he would highly prize his family, his home state and his upbringing for the rest of his life.

After graduating from Cheyenne Wells High School in 1954, where he was a standout athlete and played on the 1954 state champion basketball team, Jim moved to California in the mid-1950s where he would meet and marry Marilyn McPhail in 1958. They would be married for more than 67 years.

Jim and Marilyn eventually settled on a small ranch in the hills above Soquel, California and adopted three children, Jim, Larry, and Shauna. He would work for Pacific Gas & Electric for more than 30 years during this time before retiring in the early 1990s, then endure a very short retirement before starting a second career as an independent cross-country truck driver, which he enjoyed for more than 25 years.

Jim and Marilyn would move to North Carolina for a few years before settling in Arizona where he would spend the rest of his life.

He will be remembered for his friendly, charming personality and the ease with which he made many friends, as well as his love of work both professionally and as a pastime, along with his various avocations including welding, classic cars, wood and metal artwork, and fixing just about anything he could get his hands on.

Jim is survived by his wife Marilyn, his children Jim (Margie), Larry (Patty), and Shauna Huisman (Aaron), his brother Dan (Carol) and sister-in-law Marlene, grandchildren Nathan, Emma, Ava, Noah, Abi, Oksana, and Zeus, as well as great grandchildren Corbin and Kade.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Margaret, an infant sister, and his brother Dean.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00PM on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary in Scottsdale, Arizona.