James Russell Johnson

James (Jim) Russell Johnson peacefully passed away on October 16th, 2021, in his home. He underwent many valiant fights to keep his heart beating, never stopped moving, and his mind was sharp as a tack until his last moments.

Jim was born August 6, 1942, in Dayton, Ohio on the family farm. He spent his childhood exploring their land and developing his connection to nature and the outdoors (while he wasn’t too busy riding all over town on his Whizzer motorbike). His father Skip Johnson and mother Billy (Van Horne) moved to Washington DC, during which time Jim graduated from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. He served his country in the Navy traveling all over the world on the USS Wasp, honing his skills in airplane electrical systems maintenance in the North Atlantic. At the end of his tour, he was involved in helping to head off the Cuban missile crisis via anti-submarine efforts. After graduating from University of Maryland with a degree in Economics, he began his journey of owning many businesses and working in investment banking. He was the founder and CEO of Washington Securities Corporation in Chevy Chase until he passed.

Jim had a multitude of interests during his life, always seeking to find the next adventure and to learn new skills – during his 78 years his hobbies included horseback riding, flying as a private pilot, golfing, sailing, working on cars and motorcycles (even rebuilding another classic Whizzer), being an avid patron of the arts, and always finding the next unique solution to any problem. As President of the Lake Hillsmere Group for 25 years, he also led efforts to save our neighborhood lake from the forces that would harm it.

One of his most cherished achievements began in 1980 when he began designing and building his beautiful waterfront home in Annapolis with his best friend and loving wife of 45 years, Mary Lee (Zetter). He took great pride in every clever detail of the inner workings of the house, which can operate mostly “off-the-grid”, throwing his resilient self-reliance into the very soul of it. He always said “Why travel? I have the most beautiful view right here”.

Together they raised a wonderful and multi-talented daughter, Lindsay (Lucas), whose career in the Performing Arts he inspired and fiercely supported. He was able to walk her down the aisle as she married Reid Lucas, someone he trusted implicitly and called a close friend. His last remaining relative is his wonderful nephew Shawn, a Navy Captain who helped stoke his passion of flying and to whom he remained close until the end. He is also survived by his 4 sisters-in-laws and their wonderful children.

He will be very missed by everyone who knew him. For his wife, it is as though the roots of two entangled trees are finding their new home now. It is true that Grief is the price we pay for Love.