James Russell Johnson Jr.

1932 - 2023

James Russell Johnson, Jr.
September 29, 1932 - October 10, 2023
James Russell Johnson, Jr., Major, USAF (Retired), passed away October 10, 2023. Jim was born September 29, 1932, to James R. (Bit) and Ferda Jacklyn (Bruce) Johnson in Atlanta, Georgia. He spent his childhood in Bartlett's Ferry, Alabama, Americus and Columbus, Georgia, and Fayetteville, North Carolina.

He graduated from Duke University with a degree in Zoology and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the United States Air Force in 1955. He and his wife, Nancy, began their married life at Duke Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, North Carolina prior to a call to active duty in the Strategic Air Command at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, in 1955. Jim spent October 1957 – October 1958 at Sondrestrum Air Base, Greenland, and then was assigned to Hunter Air Force Base, Savannah, Georgia, where their two sons were born. Here Jim began a journey as a Mason, being raised in Solomon's Lodge No.1, and continuing in the York Rite Masons. Jim was initiated into the Ancient and Arabic Order of the Noble Shrine in Abu Said Temple of the Panama Canal Zone while stationed in Puerto Rico. The family then moved to McClellan Air Force Base, North Highlands, California. Jim was assigned to Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam as Squadron Commander, and Chief of Supply in January 1971. From there Jim came to the Air Force Security Service at Kelly AFB in San Antonio where the family joined him in 1972.

The family became members of Northwood Presbyterian Church for about four years then moved to St. Matthews Methodist before joining First Presbyterian Church in 1984. Jim served in the Newcomer's class and team taught with Clark Monroe in the original Beginners' Class. He served on the Adult Education Committee and also as a library volunteer for more than 20 years. After his retirement from the Air Force, Jim worked for Dunn & Bradstreet for five years; drove a school bus for the NEISD. He then began a second career as a Registered Sanitarian with the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District in Food and Environmental Safety for over 13 years, retiring in 1995.

Jim is survived by his wife Nancy, and their two sons: James L. (Larry), Larry's wife Andrea and children Emilee Anne, Gunner (Paige), and Cullen; David R. and wife Erin and their children Erich (Madison) and Kiri and great-grandson Neil.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, October 23, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, TX. There will be a private funeral service held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Archive Project at First Presbyterian Church or to the charity of your choice.



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