Marjorie Rose Johnson and James Shirey Johnson, Jr.

She was the first-born child of M. O. (Buddy) Hall and Bonnie (Caskey) Hall of Baytown. She is predeceased by her parents, Buddy and Bonnie Hall, son Dale Johnson, sister, Sandra (Hall) Smith, and brother, John Hall. She is survived by the love of her life and husband of 65 years, James S. (Jimmy) Johnson, daughter, Stephanni Johnson, son Dean Johnson and wife Toni (Jackson) Freeman, nephew, Kevin Smith, and wife Stephanie, and their three children, nieces Carrie and Kathy Smith and their families.

A graduate of Robert E. Lee High School, she received her Bachelor of Education from Lamar University and later, her Master of Science in Education from Texas A&M University.

Margie and Jimmy, also an educator, opened Johnson’s Country Day School where they not only educated and prepared students for first grade, but also taught them to swim, explore nature and develop solid character traits. During this time, they were blessed with three children of their own, Stephanni, Dean and Dale.

Ultimately, the Johnsons sold their school and began a career with Goose Creek CISD where Margie taught at San Jacinto Elementary, later retiring from Highlands Elementary.

Upon retirement, Margie opened an upscale women’s shop, The Pendulum, where she was visited by many stylish Baytown women. She closed the shop when her husband, Jimmy, retired.

Together they began to explore the United States, later joining a travel group which expanded their trips to Africa, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Alaska, Hawaii and many more. Margie not only loved the land, but the people as well who always welcomed her with love and compassion. Margie was especially fond of the Texas Hill Country, California, and Florida.

When Margie was not traveling, she was entertaining at her Cedar Bayou home where her decorating skills and culinary skills were displayed in beautiful creations, especially at Christmas, her favorite time of the year.

When visiting, Margie, you could always count on a warm welcome and sweet tea, yummy casseroles, pies, cobblers, and Blue Bell.

Although Margie enjoyed many activities, she mostly relished experiencing life and spending quality time with her family and many special friends. The family would especially like to thank her friends from Faith Presbyterian Church who provided many wonderful meals, prayers, and support during Margie’s illness. Neighbor Richard Reynolds, who tirelessly was always available to help move furniture and help with repairs and to tell her the best jokes. Margie’s special friends whom we consider a part of the family, Jimmy and Carrie McRay Martin, Diane Woodcox, Connie Alexander, Virginia Miller, Mike Wilson and Joseph Sliman, for all the hospital visits, uplifting calls, prayers, flowers, food and many other selfless acts of love that helped us personally and also kept Margie happy as she transitioned to her eternal life.

James Shirey Johnson, Jr (Jimmy) was born March 5, 1930, and passed away peacefully at home on August 19, 2023, at the age of 93. He was the only child of James S Johnson, Sr and Monna Pryor Johnson of Baytown, Texas.

Jimmy is predeceased by his parents, James and Monna Johnson, his wife, Marjorie Johnson, and his son Dale Johnson. He is survived by his daughter, Stephanni Johnson, son, Dean Johnson, and daughter-in-law, Toni J Freeman.

Jimmy graduated from Robert E Lee High School in 1948 where he lettered in baseball and basketball. After receiving a scholarship to play basketball at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas, he earned a Bachelor of Science there in 1952.

Jimmy was quickly drafted into the Army during the Korean War and was stationed at Fort Sills, Oklahoma with the 3rd Division Artillery Field Unit. While in the military, he was chosen to join the Machine Record Unit at Fort Sam Houston and worked with IBM electronics until he was honorably discharged as a Corporal in 1954. Following the Army, he began working for GCCISD at Horace Mann Junior School as a teacher and coach.

Around this time, Jimmy met the love of his life on a blind date. Six months later, the two were married on January 11, 1957. Jimmy and Marjorie were married for 65 years until her death in June of this year.

While their three children were young, Marjie and Jimmy opened Johnson’s Country Day School for children aged 3 to 6. Their goal was to prepare children for public school and help them become eager and confident in their learning. The school was also an environment where they could swim, ride horses, and explore nature. Jimmy and Marjie sold the school when their children were older, and both returned to GCCISD as educators. Jimmy was a proud coach not only at Horace Mann Junior High but also later at Carver Jones Junior and Senior High.

Jimmy worked at Goose Creek from 1957 to 1972, then transferred to La Porte ISD where he worked as a coach and the department head of physical education until his retirement in 1989.

As a Mason and proud member of the Goose Creek Masonic lodge # 1192, Jimmy shared the Mason’s belief in the importance of giving back to the community. He proudly and gladly devoted his time as a Baytown Councilman from 1978 until 1991 and a Municipal Judge from 1992 until 2021 when he retired from Old River-Winfree.

Jimmy was an integral part of a Baytown coalition that made their vision of building The Fred Hartman Bridge a reality. He was named Jaycees Man of the Year in 1982 and ARA Services Man of the Year in 1983.

In addition to his civil duty, Jimmy was also a coach and member of Baytown Little League program, and a dedicated player of Baytown softball. He never lost his love of sports and continued softball for many years taking pride playing for the Angels with his son, Dean. Although he was always the oldest player on the team, he was one of the best on the field. When Jimmy was 60, The Angels won the city championship, so he took that as his cue to finally hang up his ballcap and spend more time traveling with his wife.

They traveled in their Winnebago all over the United States including Hawaii and Puerto Rico. They also loved traveling to Norway, and Jamaica, and other beautiful places around the world. Their trip of a lifetime was to Africa.

Anyone who knew Jimmy knew he was an avid sportsman who held a deep passion for fishing. When Jimmy was younger, he was enjoyed being a fishing guide in Canada. He never turned down the opportunity to go fishing in fresh or salt water.

Another passion he loved was hunting. He traveled to Bolivia for high-volume dove hunting to aid in protecting the farmland there from migratory birds who were destroying the crops. Additionally, every November through January Jimmy could be found in Menard, Sheffield, Austin, Cotulla, or Junction, Texas, hunting deer. He loved hunting in the great outdoors, creating friendships and making lifelong memories.

When he expressed a desire to hunt in Africa, he and Marjie packed their bags to fulfill his dream. He later said the African Safari was his favorite trip by far. After this adventure, he proudly displayed the exotic animals in his home.

Jimmy was truly a man’s man having no pretense or judgment against anyone, he simply possessed a genuine excitement to make another friend and confidant. If you could call Jimmy your friend, you knew he was your friend for life.

When people asked Jimmy for the secret to living to 93 years old, he always answered, “I never drank, never smoked, never had surgery, always took my medicine and did what my doctors asked me to do.” Those things may be true, but Jimmy also loved his life and followed his dreams. He was a special man, and we will miss him endlessly. However, we know he is exactly where he wants to be…dancing in heaven with his first and only love, Marjorie.

The family would like to thank friends from Faith Presbyterian Church who provided support and prayers. Additionally, we would like to thank Mike Wilson, Jimmy and Carrie McRay Martin, Larry and Diane Woodcox, Connie Alexander, Virginia Miller, Richard Reynolds, Jerry Dugat, Kenneth Welch, Ron Haddox and Joseph Sliman for providing unforgettable memories and being an important part of Jimmy’s life.

Jimmy and Marjorie’s memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at 11:30 am at Faith Presbyterian Church. Located at 3900 N Main St, Baytown, Texas 77521. Guests are invited to a lunch reception in the Fellowship Hall of the church, immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith Presbyterian Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.navarrefuneralhome.com for the Johnson family.