James Edward Johnson

James Edward Johnson was born January 1, 1928 in Greenwood Mississippi through the union of his parents Mr. Dock and Willie Mae Johnson. James was a imaginative, outgoing, creative, resourceful, visionary from his youth. He was the son of sharecropper on a cotton field by in the south. Believing there was much more for him to see in the world than this town had to offer, as a teenager decided that this was not the life for him. He always felt in his heart and mind that he was destine for great things. He could think quickly on his feet, good with math and had a high development of street smarts allowing him to acquire many different trades of employment. Some of these included being a Cobbler where he learned to repair and eventually learned to make custom shoes. Because of his limited attire on the farm, he became intrigued with men’s fashion which followed him for entire life. His outgoing personality and charm landed him many short-term opportunities working in the car industry. James had an adventuress spirit and wanted to travel the world which led him to enlisting in the United States Navy. As a Navy Man he served in the Korean War. He served on war ships that were in the destroyer classification which included the following; USS Fall River (VA), USS Swenson, and the USS Thomas F. Nickel. He was last stationed at the US Naval Air Station, Point Mugu, California. He was honorably discharged after serving 11 years and 3 months. His rank was NCO Petty Officer 3rd Class. Through his time in the service, he matured and became a man, having enlisted at age 16 and having experienced battle he exited at 28 years old. James loved the idea of marriage but he struggled with being a good husband. James always envisioned himself prosperous and owning his own business. He was an influential, charming, fun loving grinder with a nose for a variety of business ideas. He was definitely a self-made entrepreneur. His love of life, fashion and of cars and the potential of growth in that industry working at first for different dealerships as a car salesman for several years. James had found the trade that worked for him, he was month after month the top salesman during this time. He later figured out how he himself could better his profit margin and work smarter for himself instead working for others. James established his own used car dealership on Mission Street in San Francisco calling it “Great Way Motors” settling in Northern California Bay Area! He worked successfully in that industry for over the next 30 plus years. His daughter Onyx work on his car lot during the summer prior to her senior year of high school to earn her first car a Hunter Green 1965 Mustang with White Pinstripes, Black leather interior Bucket Seats and Whitewall Tires. She thought she would be working in the office but as a grinder himself she worked on the cars having her own work overalls he supplied for her to be able to get close and personal with car repair basics. James Edward Johnson was known to his friends as Ed, James or Johnson. He loved to live his life his way. He worked hard and was always the life of the party whether this was a small informal or a grand gathering or events. He was in the Johnson zone when it came to cooking, partying and dancing, playing card games and Bones (Dominos), shooting pool or simply strumming on his guitar, his own special tune. He was a long-standing member of the Bay Area Corvette Club and a member of the Moose Lodge in Richmond. He had a great sense of humor as well.

Our well loved and respected James Edward Johnson leaves fond loving memories of his life celebrated in the hearts of his daughters Onyx Roslyn Llauger (Nadine), Theresa Sherman, Johnnie Mae Harrison, a stepson Rolf Crudupt, two sons-in-law Victor Llauger and James Sherman. Four Grandchildren Tenee Baker, Glenna Baker, Vincent Llauger and Sergio Llauger. Five Great Grandchildren and a host of friends that were like family to him. He will be much missed, but never be forgotten!