James Vance Johnson, Sr.

He retired in 1984 as General Manager of the Montgomery Ward's San Antonio/Houston District with 41 years of service with the Chicago based national Retailing firm. Johnson was born and raised in Western Kansas where he attended grade and high school. He began his retail career at a hardware and implement store in Tribune, Kansas at age 14 working before and after school through high school. He continued working summers and holidays through four years of college at the University of Kansas. After college, he continued his retail career in earnest with Klines Department Store in Kansas City. One year later he went with Montgomery Ward as a Management Trainee in Kansas City, Missouri. After several management assignments with Wards in six different states, he was transferred to San Antonio as Metro District Manager in 1967. He was successful in expanding Wards market share in south Texas including Austin, San Antonio, the Rio Grande Valley, and Houston area.

Johnson's community service covered several areas of civic endeavor. He was Chairman of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Board of the Texas Retail Association. Jim served on the board of the Citizens Bank and later Associate Director for Frost Bank. He was a director of Oak Hills Country Club, the Downtown Optimist Club, American Cancer Society, Methodist Hospital, Southwest Research and National Conference of Christians and Jews. He was also an active member on several Civic Blue Ribbon committees.

Jim married Mildred (Mickie) Van Dyke in Kansas City in 1947 who preceded him in death in 2015. They had four children Sheryl Wardle of Wichita, KS, Van Johnson and wife Jana, Scott Johnson and wife Sue of San Antonio, and Kimberly Johnson who preceded him in death in 1980. Other survivors include 5 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

ROSARY

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016

7:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH CHAPEL

MASS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016

10:00 A.M.

ST. MATTHEW'S CATHOLIC CHURCH

10703 WURZBACH ROAD

Interment will follow in Mission Burial Park North. For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society or any other charitable organization of your choice.