James Franklin Johnson,  88,  went home to be with his beloved Lord and Savior,   Jesus Christ,  on January 16,  2025.  He departed this life peacefully in his residence in Palacios, Texas, attended by daughter Celia and son Jay.

James ("Jim") was born July 3, 1936 in Chickamauga, Georgia.  He was the oldest of eight children born to Chester and Annie Johnson.  He was 16 when the family moved to Texas, where he would return upon retirement.  The Lord captured his heart at the age of 22,  and it became the passion of his life to share the good news of Jesus with everyone he could.

In 1961,  he married LeNora Jo Poe and soon after, they attended Prairie Bible Institute for four years to prepare for ministry. Jim earned a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Idaho and later earned a degree in cross-cultural studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in California.  He also studied at the University of Houston in Texas and Western Seminary in Oregon.  Jim pastored two different churches for a total of 18 years.  He and Jo also served as missionaries in Belize, Central America for 10 years.  Together, they had four children.

Jim never met a stranger.  He had a twinkle of good humor in his eye, and was known and loved as a story teller, drawing on experiences from the various places he and Jo lived and ministered.  He self-published a book of stories entitled People as Proverbs.

Jim enjoyed fishing and was a DIY builder.  He built or remodeled several homes over the years, completing the last one just months before he passed away.  He also built three boats.  He was a prolific reader of various genres, including theology and history, and had read through the Bible more than 80 times.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Leroy Johnson, his wife of 57 years, LeNora Jo Johnson,  and his daughter,  Dorcas Manley.   He is survived by his daughter, Celia (Steve) West,  his son Jay (Kathy) Johnson,  his son Tim Johnson,  his sisters Martha McDaniel,  Sue Locke,  Kat (Johnny) Limmer,  his brothers Bill Johnson,  Arthur Johnson (since deceased), and  Danny (Sandra) Johnson.   He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

He leaves a legacy of hard work, good humor, sharp-mindedness, and unwavering faith.   His greatest love was the Lord Jesus, and he lived his life in His service.  He was beloved, and will be deeply missed.

A celebration of life will be held in Texas on March 29, 2025 at the home of a family member,  and another will be held in Oregon on April 11, 2025 at the Laurel Community Church in Hillsboro, Oregon at 2:00 pm.

His remains will be inurned beside his wife at Lockney Cemetery, Lockney, Texas.

Gifts in Jim's memory may be made to Avant Ministries, the mission organization they served with.  Their address is 10000 North Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64155

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