James "Jim" Johnson

When James Johnson was around, one could usually expect a practical joke or two as he was a born jokester. He was a man of great strength and determination who worked hard throughout his life no matter what he was doing. Jim was particular and liked things just so, and his heart was as big as they come. He treasured his family and a cruise they took together was one of the highlights of his life. An outdoorsman who loved to fish, Jim even had fishing trips planned well into the sunset of his life. A doting grandfather, he leaves behind lessons in integrity, perseverance, and love that will be carried on for generations to come. The year 1936 was part of a decade that was cloaked in hardship due to the Great Depression. This was a year that saw President Franklin D. Roosevelt reelected by a landslide, the first helicopter flight was taken, and Mutiny on the Bounty won big in the motion picture industry. It was on July 14th of that same year that Albert and Daisy (King) Johnson welcomed their son, James, into their family. Born in Lansing, Michigan, he was the youngest of three children in his family including older sisters Viola and Jessie. Jims father worked for General Motors while his mother was a homemaker. The Johnson family moved from Lansing to Ravenna where they lived on the family farm. At the time of the move, Jim had the mumps, and he kindly shared them with the driver who helped with the move! From a young age, Jim loved to play tricks on people. In fact, the list of the practical jokes that he has to his credit is rather long. While he was a student at a small country school, Jim put a rock on top of the school chimney in an attempt to get out of school. There was also the time he hot wired the seat of his fathers tractor, trying to literally shock the next door neighbor. Imagine his fathers surprise when he became the victim of his sons prank. On another occasion, Jim and a buddy of his picked up a dead skunk with a forked stick and put it in the neighbors mailbox. The two boys laid in wait while they watched the mailman discover their treasure! It wasnt surprising to anyone who knew Jim that he accepted a dare to ride a horse through the front door of the Trent Grange Hall and then right out the back door while a dance was going on. What a sight that must have been! Of course April Fools Day was a day that seemed to be tailor made for Jim as the list is endless of those who were unsuspecting victims of his pranks through the years. When he was 14 or 15 years old, Jim became paralyzed for some unknown reason. He was then sent to Ann Arbor where he underwent shock treatments to the spine. These treatments resulted in the loss of Jims memory as well as all of his mobility, so he was sent home to die. A bit later, he began seeing a chiropractor and whatever that doctor did, it worked! Jim then needed extensive physical therapy to learn how to talk and walk again all those things we take for granted every day. As a student of Grant High School, Jim left school after the tenth grade because of his physical issues. Life would never be the same for Jim after he was introduced to the young woman who would forever hold the key to his heart. She was from Walkerville and her name was Naomi McKenzie. They were introduced by Jims cousin as the two girls were in beauty school together. Following their initial blind date, the couple continued to date and later became engaged. One year later on July 30, 1956, they were married at the Methodist church in Walkerville. The couple was blessed with one daughter, Jennifer, who was the light of their lives. Jim worked hard in order to support his family. He became a farmer, then a school bus driver for many years, and then a transfer driver for several different trucking firms. He was also one of the founders of the Casnovia Township Volunteer Fire Department, and was also a proud member for 54 years. Jim became certified through FEMA and also became certified as a landing zone specialist with Aero Med through Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids. Family was an integral part of who Jim was. He enjoyed taking leisurely drives with his family on Sunday, times they all looked forward to. Their family experienced the vacation of a lifetime when their kitchen was being remodeled and they took it as an opportunity to get out of the house. That trip took them out west for six weeks, ultimately ending up in Idaho, but taking in many other sights along the way from the comfort of their travel trailer. When his family grew to include grandchildren, Jim couldnt have been happier. It was easy to see that the sun rose and set with his three grandchildren: Daniel, Andrew, and Laraina. As a Christmas present in 2003, Jennifer and their son-in-law Paul arranged a cruise for Jim and Naomi along with their family and Pauls parents, too. Jim talked about that trip for months to come. Although much of his free time was spent with his family, Jim had a few others interests, too. He did not care for sports, but was always willing to take Naomi to any sporting event she chose including to the Yooper Dome for the Ravenna football game. Jim loved to hunt and fish and even planned to go fishing when he was at the nursing home. He attended McGraft Memorial Congregational Church. As Jim struggled with increased health concerns during the sunset of his life, his buddies at the fire department were always more than willing to take him where he needed to go as his mobility became so limited. He always insisted, however, that his bib overalls be removed in case his clothes needed to be cut off. James Johnson was loving, caring, and thoughtful as he would do anything for anyone. He was particular with all his tools placed just so, and he loved making others laugh. A family man through and through, Jim will be dearly missed. James W. Johnson died Friday, September 10, 2010. Jims family includes his wife, Naomi; daughter, Jennifer (Paul) Wakefield of Muskegon; 3 grandchildren, Daniel, Andrew, Laraina; nephews, Larry Hasselman, David Hasselman; special brother-in-law, Harley Wambaugh of Muskegon; many special friends. Jim was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Viola Kohler, Jessie Hasselman. Services will be held on Tuesday, September 14, 2010, 5:00 p.m. at McGraft Memorial Congregational Church with Rev. Dr. Gerald Wahr officiating. Interment at Restlawn Cemetery. Visit with Jims family and friends on Monday, 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home Muskegon location Muskegon, MI. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to the Casnovia Township Fire Department.