James D. Johnson

James D. Johnson     “beloved husband, father, grandfather, & brother”

BOLIVAR, NY----James D. Johnson, 92, a longtime resident of Bolivar, NY, passed away April 16, 2013 with his loving family at his side at Wellsville Manor Care Center, Wellsville, after a long illness.
     Born February 13, 1921 in Belfast, he was a son of James and Esther Bretour Johnson.  On March 13, 1942, he married Ruth Gant, who passed away on October 26, 1970.  On September 29, 1985, he married Alma Carlson, who passed away March 28, 2004.
     Jim spent most of his life as a woodsman, farmer and sawmill worker.  He also worked in several local industries including the former Acme Electric in Cuba, NY.
     Jim and his first wife, Ruth, enjoyed working on their farm, visiting relatives on the weekends and raising their four boys.  He and his second wife, Alma, during their retirement years enjoyed camping, traveling, woodcrafting lawn ornaments, and making an annual trip to the New York State Fair.
          Surviving are three sons, Robert (Judith) Johnson, David (Sharon) Johnson, and Douglas (Carla) Johnson, all of Bolivar; four step-children, Darla (Clyde Sanford) Ostrum of Rochester, Sharon (David) Johnson, Michael Smith, and Bonnie (Charlie) Gorham, all of Bolivar; two brothers, George Herman “Hum” Johnson of Wellsville and David “Chuck” (Shirley) Johnson of Friendship; ten grandchildren, Jackie Taylor, Jill (Mike) Roulo, Joanne Johnson, James (Jammie) Johnson, Matthew Johnson, Colby (Trishia) Johnson, Jamie Johnson, Cory (Sara) Johnson, Sabrena (Chris) Day, and Kolina Johnson; four step-grandchildren, Jared Smith, Robert Smith, Jack Gorham, and Michael (Erin) Gorham; 19 great-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Jane Johnson; and several nieces and nephews.
     Jim, with his great sense of humor and love for life, will be greatly missed by these loved ones and those who knew him.
     In addition to his parents and wives, Jim was predeceased by a son, William Johnson; five sisters, Nora Lewis, Anna Pierce, Theresa Thornton, Gladys Button, and Esther Austin; two brothers, William Johnson and Elmer Johnson; a great-granddaughter, Amelia Johnson, a step-granddaughter, Stephanie Gorham; and a step-great-granddaughter, Alleah Smith.
     Friends may call at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday and on Saturday, April 20, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at which time funeral services will be held with the Rev. Clint Pearsall, pastor of Faith Bible Church, Little Genesee, officiating.  Burial will be in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Bolivar.
     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bolivar Ambulance Corp., or a charity of the donor’s choice.