James Harrison Johnson (Jim), a very loved, honorable and giving man left peacefully to be with the Lord on May 13, 2023 after a valiant struggle with stroke recovery from 6 weeks earlier. Jim was a strong and independent man living in his own home in Ooltewah, TN for 14 plus years after his wife, Carol Jean Johnson, left to be with the Lord in 2008.
Jim was born in 1935 in Gardner, WV to the late Joseph and Blanche Moses Johnson. He graduated from Princeton High School in 1953, attended Concord College, earned his AA and BA from Orange State College in 1963 and MBA from the University of Arizona in 1973. He joined the United States Army in 1956, served two tours in Vietnam 66-67/71-72, retired at the rank of Major in 1976, was awarded two Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service, and numerous other medals and commendations. He was a lifetime member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chattanooga Chapter 203 and a member of Bayside Baptist Church for the many years he lived in Ooltewah. His friends will remember him for his love of his wife, family, trains, computers, and NASCAR.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by five brothers, Fred Elmo, Paul Pershing, John William "Bill", Sam Sherrill and Charles Cecil Johnson; four sisters, Madge Irene Tolliver Zimmerman, Ida Bird 'Tomi" Alex, Blanche Marie Williams and Lillie Mae Johnson White.
Left to cherish his memory include his two sons, David H. Johnson of Frisco, TX and Keith A. Johnson (Cheryl) of Southfork, CO; four grandchildren, Adria B. Johnson of Richardson, TX, Taylor S. Johnson (Stephanie) of Frisco, TX, Brandon K. Johnson of Edgewood NM and Mckensie N. Johnson of Southfork, CO; one great grandson, Pierce M. Johnson of Frisco, TX; and one great step-grandson, Caden M. Tejada of Frisco, TX.
A Military Veterans Full Honors Ceremony and Committal Service will be held at 1:30 PM Wednesday,
May 31, 2023, at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404, with
Rev. Grady Cooper from Bayside Baptist Church, located in Harrison, TN, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested any donations in his honor be given to the Vietnam Veterans of America as follows: www.vva.org/donate/?form=FUNDAVTAZBC. Please check the memorial dedication box and dedicate the memorial donation to: James H. Johnson, VVA Chattanooga Chapter 203.
There will be no visitation or services at the funeral home. Jim was blessed to have closure with all of his immediate family and many of his friends prior to his passing and wishes to be remembered as he was prior to the stroke.
Please visit www.chattanoogavalleyviewchapel.com to share your thoughts and memories of Jim.
Arrangements are by the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
