James A Johnston

Ventura and friends from all around California and the nation suffered a deep and irreplaceable loss February 28, 2011 with the passing of James A. Johnston. Jim died at age 86 following a heroic battle with a rare cancer. Because of his high energy levels, enthusiasm and capacity for work of a man half his age, his fate came almost as a surprise to those who knew him.

Born in Oxnard in 1924 and a resident of Ventura County all his life, Jim was one of the most well loved individuals in the area, a major leader in the community and indeed a genuine personal hero to many of the people whose lives he touched. He served in the Navy from ’43 to ’46 and was towed for 57 days across the Pacific on the dry dock ARD10 from San Francisco to Perth, Australia where he spent the war swapping out diesel submarine engines. Following a 16 year stint with Shell Oil in Ventura Jim “jumped ship” and used his life savings to create his own enterprises. He was an entrepreneur, a seafarer and engine builder. One expert said of him that Jim probably knew more about internal combustion engines than any man in the country. Jim was too modest to allow such a thing to be said, but he did speculate that in his years with Shell maintaining oilfield engines that he had probably pumped more Marvels’ Mystery Oil than any man in America. Whether it was to build a restaurant or a boat yard, sell yachts or run a sport fishing boat or offshore vessels or rebuild engines or generators or even search for sunken treasure he was an endless fount of energy and enthusiasm. In addition to his life’s work, he was able to find time to be the mainspring for several car and yacht clubs.

Jim is survived by his wife of 65 years Catherine ‘Katie’, Grandson Steve, Granddaughter Sheri and numerous nieces and nephews. His many friends know that somewhere he has found a safe and snug harbor but they also suspect he is busy shaping it up and getting it organized.

Private graveside services will be held for the family on Friday.

A Celebration of Jim’s life and luncheon will be held this Saturday, March 5th, 12:00 Noon at 1565 Callens Road, Ventura. Please bring your fond memories and stories about Jim.

Memorial donations may be made to Assisted Home Hospice Foundation, 2140 Eastman Ave., #203, Ventura, CA 93003 or to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Condolences may be sent to www.TedMayrFuneralHome.com.