James Allen Johnson

Jim was born in Casper, WY on August 11, 1931 and was the son of the late Burger Saul Johnson and Linnie Orene “Rene” Stone. When Mr. Johnson was killed in a car accident, Rene married Hank Bonk, who became Jim’s influential father figure.

Jim enlisted in the United States Navy in January 1948 in San Diego, California, when he was 16 years old. After completing his initial training and specialty schools, he began his career on the USS Leyte (CV-31) and was then assigned to train and maintain Regulus Missile systems at Point Mugu NAWC in San Diego, CA before serving for 2 years on the USS Norton Sound (AVM-1) as a Guided Missileman for the Terrier Missile system. He served as a Talos Missile Systems Officer and Instructor at the US Naval Guided Missile School in Damneck, VA. During this time he was encouraged to pursue becoming an Officer, which eventually he became, and went on to serve as Ensign on multiple ships including the USS Little Rock (CLG-4) and USS Farragut (DLG-6), both in various Missile Officer positions. In 1968, newly promoted Lieutenant Johnson returned to the US Naval Guided Missile School in Damneck, VA serving as Terrier Officer Branch Head and Terrier Systems Instructor. In 1970, he was assigned to the Naval Ship Weapons System Engineering Station (NSWSES) in Port Hueneme, CA. There he served as a Ships Qualification and Test (SQT) Officer traveling with his team to ships at sea all over the world testing and repairing faulty weapons systems to ensure they could pass their yearly qualification tests. Prior to retirement, he served two years as the Technical Assistant to the Director of Engineering at NSWSES Port Hueneme. In 1974, after 26 years of serving his Nation, he retired from the Navy with the rank of Lt. Commander. Soon after retiring, he was offered and accepted the opportunity to work for two years with the Australian Navy on behalf of the US Navy as the On Site Tarter System Lead Engineer and as Direct Rep of NAVSEA in Sydney, Australia. After returning from Australia, he worked for Raytheon as a Manager for development and installation of the first iteration of the SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare System to the entire US Navy fleet, of which modern versions of that same EWS system are still in service today. He also worked for Rolair Systems as a Program Manager for one of their successful NASA Space Flight Programs. In 1982, he went to work as a Liaison Manager for Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS where his focus was coordinating with Bath Iron Works (BIW) in Bath, ME with all matters concerning the USS Ticonderoga (CG-47) which led to him becoming the Combat Systems Superintendent for BIW until 1986. After leaving BIW, his final job was as Test Director for overhauled missile ships in various East Coast Shipyards until 1991.

Jim was a 32nd Degree Mason. He held offices in several lodges in Maine and Texas and served different positions including District Deputy of Grand Master, Worshipful Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, Junior Steward, Treasurer and Secretary, as well as recipient for 2 Golden Trowel Awards. At age 60, Jim moved from Maine to Myrtle Springs, Texas. It was there he met his loving wife, Mary, with whom he spent his remaining years with. They moved to Tyler in 2012 to work in their yard and in his woodworking shop.

Jim is survived by his wife Mary. They had many years of happiness and she will miss him greatly. Other surviving family members include: Daughter Jill Johnson and son-in-law, Craig Bodway; Son James A Johnson, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Niki N Johnson and grandsons Oliver and Connor Johnson; Step Daughter Sherry Alexander and son-in-law, Woody and granddaughters Kesha Hastings, Traci Fuller, Teresa Alexander; Step Son Johnny McCoy and daughter-in-law, Sonja and grandson Brennan McCoy and granddaughter Reniae McCoy; Step Daughter Sheila Hartsfield and son-in-law John, Grandsons Jeff Williams and John Hartsfield, Jr., Granddaughters Kristin Romero and Ivey Wagner. Cousin, Dale Stone and wife Marsha. Jim also has 18 Great grandchildren and 7 great, great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of East Texas and Leonard B. Harvey - Scyene Daylight Masonic Lodge No. 295, as no service will be held. A special appreciation is to Hospice of East Texas. His nurses sincerely cared for Jim and were respectful of his needs and dignity.