With sadness we share the news of the passing of the Rev. Dr. James Arthur Johnson, age 67, on Saturday, August 8, 2015 at his home in Tennille, GA. During his 40 years of ordained ministry he served as Vicar of St. Gabriel's, Milton/Oak Ridge (1981-1985), Associate at St. Paul's, Englewood (1985-1987) and Rector of All Saints', Bergenfield (1987-1991).
Born in Washington D.C. on November 22, 1947, Jim was ordained to the priesthood in 1976 in the Diocese of West Virginia, where he served several congregations before coming to the Diocese of Newark. He went on to serve congregations in the Diocese of Atlanta and the Diocese of Western North Carolina until his retirement in 2012.
A graduate of Shorter College in Rome, GA, Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA and Drew University in Madison NJ, Jim also obtained post graduate certifications from The Georgia School of Professional Psychology, the University of Georgia Continuing Education Center and the Mid Atlantic Association for Training and Consulting, and was a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Jim enjoyed teaching and served as an Education for Ministry Mentor for the University of the South. In retirement, he was active with the Boy Scouts serving as District Commissioner and Scout Master. He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran serving in Vietnam and a member of the American Legion.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Jean Smith Johnson of Tennille; his children, Laura Elizabeth Johnson Wilburn of California, and Jacob Nathaniel Johnson of Tennille; granddaughters, Sarah Michelle Wilburn and Hope Anne Wilburn; and his mother Lily Ruth Bright Johnson.
A memorial service was held on Wednesday, August 12 at Grace Episcopal Church in Sandersville, GA followed by a committal service at the Washington County Memorial Gardens with military honors.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.
Good and gracious God, the light of the faithful and shepherd of souls, you sent your servant Jim to be a priest in your Church to feed your sheep with your word and to guide them by his example; give us the grace to keep the faith he taught and to follow in his footsteps. We entrust him into your unfailing mystery of Love and Hope through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
