- Date Of Birth: May 27, 1963
- Date Of Death: March 22, 2014
- State: Iowa
James Johnson passed peacefully the afternoon of Saturday, March 22. 2014, with his wife, family,and friends nearby.
James was preceded in death by his mother, Lena Johnson; father Leon Johnson;an infant sibling and his brothers, Bill and Tim. He also recently lost his mother-in-law, Doris Lock, and sister-in-law, Kathy Williams.
James is survived by his wife, Ronda, and family by marriage father, Ronald; step-daughters Kim (Will) Dobbins and Amy Patterson, and a granddaughter he absolutely adored, Zorah. He is also survived by his sister, Debra, and his son, James.
James was born in the South and raised on the Gulf Coast. He lost his mother when he was three years old; his father at 15. James struck out on his own, and quickly and off the Gulf Coast. He had many stories about those days.
James’ early life was a nomadic lifestyle. He traveled the Southeast, South, Southwest, and Western U.S. – seeing every great sight there was to see. He liked talking about standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon (back in the days when you could do that), holding his arms out wide, and leaning/looking over the edge.
James was a man of multiple talents, from learning how to set up and run a carnival to being certified to repair cooling systems. He could do anything. His heart and talent was being an auto mechanic and a tattoo artist. Both were trades that suited his lifestyle and supported him anywhere he went; he was exceptional at both.
Occasionally, James would travel North. It was on his last trip he met the love of his life, Ronda, married and settled down with her in Iowa. He embraced the stability of domestic life; often teasing his wife about being a Yankee. Not admitting that he, also, had become that same Yankee, he would laugh when she would tease him in return (having picked up many speech patterns from the South, herself). Recently they began talking about retiring and where they wanted to travel – the sights he wanted to show Ronda.
James was always very patient and good with young children; they adored him. He also loved animals. He convinced Ronda they should get a dog, one dog. Then there were a few more. Of course, the additions always happened while she was at work when she would get a call about this cat…this puppy…needed a new home…. Ronda teased him about his huge heart and this ‘workaround’ he used to give a homeless pet a new home.
James touched many lives. He was a great listener and could swap stories with the best. His generosity and big heart often got him in over his head, but he would do anything he could for a friend. He is loved and sorely missed.
