James E. Johnson

James Edward Johnson was born May 11, 1935 in Harrisburg, Oregon. He was the son of Joseph Layton Johnson, Sr and Dora (Lockyear) Johnson. He passed away peacefully April 22, 2026 with family by his side.

In 1943 his family moved to Marshfield, Oregon. He attended Harding grade school, Marshfield Junior High and graduated from Marshfield Senior High in 1953.

He worked at Safeway stores until he was drafted into the US Army in 1958. He was stationed at Sheridan Kaserne in Augsburg, Germany in the 24th Infantry "Victory" Division, 34th Infantry Regiment, with the first battle group of heavy mortar battery. He was discharged in 1960.

He returned to work at Safeway in Coquille, Oregon. He was held up at gunpoint, in 1962, by two Escaped convicts from the Oregon State Penitentiary.

In 1965 he enrolled at SWOCC in the Electronic Engineering Technology department. He graduated in 1968 with an Associates in Science, then transferred to Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He graduated in 1970 with his Bachelors of Science in Electronic Engineering Technology.

He began working for General Telephone as a microwave two-way radio engineer in Coos Bay, Oregon and Everett, Washington until his retirement in 2000.

Our Dad has four children, Cindy Gisholt, Jim Rutherford, Jeff Rutherford and Pamela Hacker. 9 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 12 great great-grandchildren.

James was preceded in death by his father Joseph L Johnson, mother Dora Johnson, Brother Joseph Johnson, granddaughter Jayme Austin & grandson Rick Austin. Our Dad resided in McKinley, Oregon on his beautiful property.

He loved many activities & hobbies including fishing, hunting, gardening, camping with friends & family especially at his Beechnut mine claim in Powers, Oregon. He loved bowling and was on several bowling teams for many years. He enjoyed weekends on the Oregon dunes in his 1972 Jeep CJ5 with his Jeep club buddies, the 4-Wheeling Coast Rangers, and driving in the Powers parade in his 1952 M-37 Army truck. Mostly Dad loved his family and friends and never would pass up an opportunity to be near them. He also loved  a Denny's pizza and a cold beer. He will be greatly missed.

We will be having a Celebration of life at  North Bend Lanes in the Back Alley, North Bend, Oregon on  Sunday August 2nd, 2026 from 11-2. Please Join us in Remembering Our Dad James E. Johnson.

Cremation rites have been held at Ocean View Memory Gardens Crematory, Coos Bay under the direction of Coos Bay Chapel 685 Anderson Ave. 541-267-3131. www.coosbayareafunerals.com 

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