James Robert JOHNSON

JOHNSON, AXON, PETERSEN, ROBERTS, JENNINGS, BOLEY, DELATORRE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:48

April 24, 1946 ---- August 14, 2017

James Robert Johnson, the son of Willard "Ole" and Ruth (Petersen) Johnson, was born on April 24, 1946, in Hampton, Iowa. He was raised and educated in the area of his birth, graduating from Hampton High School in 1964. Jim attended Luther College in Decorah for one year and then he volunteered for the United States Marine Corps being indoctrinated 03 March of 1966, served in the Vietnam War as an air traffic controller at the Chu Lai airbase until his honorable discharge on 22 December 1969.

On December 22, 1972, Jim was united in marriage with Sonna Axon at the United Presbyterian Church in Goldfield, where they have made their home since 1976 and raised three children. Jim was an air traffic controller at the Des Moines International Airport from 1970 – 1976; he worked a few years for Standard Oil (Doug Nelson) and Wright County Road Maintenance until 2004. Jim and Sonna also owned the Goldfield Cheese Mart from 1990 - 1997.

Jim was an active member of the United Presbyterian Church and served as a trustee as well as an elder along with many other and offices. Jim found an extended family in the Goldfield UP Church. His faith grew through the years while raising his children in the church atmosphere, but his faith really blossomed as he began to have health issues. His devotion to the church and his conviction were never more apparent than after he was told his lymphoma had gone into remission.

Jim was an avid gardener, even after becoming dependent on mechanical mobility. He loved to make people smile and laugh, and especially enjoyed sharing his bottomless pocket of candy. He loved to make children happy by playing Santa at the school his daughter taught at.

Jim served on the Goldfield City Council for 4 years as well as serving on the Goldfield Volunteer Fire Dept. for several years. He was a proud member of the Goldfield American Legion Earl Beisell Post #319 and served many years as Commander.

Jim passed away on Monday, August 14, 2017, at the Iowa Specialty Hospital in Belmond, at the age of 71 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard "Ole" and Ruth Johnson; sister, Julie Roberts and brother, Peter Johnson. Jim is survived by his wife, Sonna Johnson of Goldfield; son, Christopher Johnson and wife Sonya of Goldfield; daughters, Erin Jennings and husband Ed of Ankeny and Jessica Johnson of Goldfield and seven grandchildren: Just'n Boley, McKayla and Taylor Johnson, Kersin and Kyler Delatorre, Evan and Elliott Jennings.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 18, 2017, at the United Presbyterian Church in Goldfield with Rev. Sara Sutter officiating. Burial with Military Rites will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. Visitation is Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Foust Funeral Home in Goldfield. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

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