James S. Johnson

It is with deep love and gratitude for a life well lived that we announce the passing of a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend.

He was a man who found joy in the simple and sacred things of life.  Whether he was out before dawn in a quiet deer stand, walking through the woods he loved, or sharing stories of past hunting trips, he felt closest to God in the stillness of nature.  Hunting wasn't just a pastime for him - it was a tradition, a discipline, and something he took pride in passing on to the next generation.

At home, he was happiest on his tractor, a grandchild perched beside him, teaching small hands how to steer straight rows and appreciate honest work.  He found equal joy in tending the garden alongside his beloved wife, planting seeds in the spring and watching both crops and grandchildren grow season after season.  The garden was more than soil and harvest; it was partnership, patience, and love cultivated daily.

Above all, he was a man of faith.  Each day, he and his wife praised Christ together, beginning their mornings in prayer and gratitude.  His faith was steady and quiet but unmistakable.  He lived what he believed - through kindness, humility, generosity, and a deep love for his family.  He didn't just speak about faith; he modeled it.

He was also a storyteller and a jokester.  He could lighten any room with a well-timed joke or a playful grin.  His laughter was familiar, comforting, and contagious.  He believed life was meant to be enjoyed and that no gathering was complete without a little teasing and a lot of smiles.

As a husband, he was devoted.  As a father and grandfather, he was patient and wise.  As a great-grandfather, he was tender and proud.  As a brother, he was loyal and steady.  He taught by example - how to work hard, love deeply, pray faithfully, laugh often, and care for the land and the people entrusted to you.

the theme of his life, and now his farewell, is simple:  Pass It On.   Pass on the faith he lived.  Pass on the love he gave.  Pass on the stories, the skills, the laughter.  Pass on the tradition of early mornings in the woods, hands in the soil, and praise on your lips.

His legacy lives on not only in the generations that follow him but in the values he planted in each of them.  And just as he would want, we will carry those gifts forward.

"Well done, good and faithful servant."