James Marshall Johnson, age 72, arrived in heaven while surrounded by his family on the evening of March 15, 2012 after a short but courageous fight with leukemia at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. Jim was born in Osakis, Minnesota on July 4, 1939 to John (Eddie) Edward and Minnie Sylvia (Olson) Johnson.
James Johnson and Carol Hudson began dating in 1959, were married in Tieton, Washington on March 10, 1961 and celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary one week ago.
Jim retired from Snokist Growers in 2007 as the truck shop supervisor. Jim loved to work and so, after retirement, began his second career working at Campbell Orchards where he met many new people whose friendship he cherished. He loved his animals, especially his kitty, Little Girl and his horse, Chief. Jim spent many hours riding his horses in the mountains. In his earlier years, he liked to tinker with old cars and go elk hunting with his brothers. He would spend days packing for his hunting trip so that they could be gone for a week but would have to come home after two days because he wanted a shower! Jim was a classic jokester and never tired of teasing everyone up to his last hours here on earth. He always had a “one liner” ready. He teased our mom mercilessly and though she would tell him to stop, he knew she really liked it, so he kept it up. He was a master of all trades and could fix absolutely anything. There was never a challenge too big for him.
Jim attended the Bethel Community Church and enjoyed the fellowship of the church family.
Jim was met in heaven by his father and mother, infant brother and sister Orlin and Jackie and mother-in-law, Grace Hudson. He was also preceded in death by several aunts, uncles, sister and brothers-in-law, and cousins.
Left to cherish the memories until we meet again are his loving wife, Carol Johnson of Tieton, daughter and son-in-law Debbie and Jon Hall of Tieton, daughter crystal Johnson of Prosser, grandchildren Amber (Tom) Radke of Naches, Amy Braswell of Yakima, great-grandchildren Caleb and Cole Braswell, brothers Gary Johnson and Lonnie Johnson and their families, and the many friends he made along the way.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Yakima County Humane Society or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to fund research for a cure c/o Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902.
We would like to thank Don and Carol Baughman for their comfort and care to Jim and his family. We would also like to thank the staff on the 2nd floor at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital who tirelessly care for our dad and husband and our family. They showed kindness and compassion beyond what we could have expected.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 22, 2012 at the Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel.
To share a memory of John, visit www.keithandkeith.com.
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