Rev. James Lewis Johnson, 71, passed away on August 5, 2016 in Portland, Maine due to complications from pancreatic cancer. He was born December 13, 1944 in Lewisburg, Pa to Elias Ray Johnson and Arlene (Smith) Johnson.
After graduating from Bloomsburg State College in Pennsylvania with a degree in education, Jim moved his new family to Southwest Harbor, Maine to be an elementary school teacher. He then moved to Jefferson, Maine to be a teacher/principal at their K-8 school. Soon after, Jim felt a calling to serve God and attended Bangor Theological Seminary in Maine. During that time he served as a Student Pastor for four years, and then as an Ordained Minister for two years at the Searsport and North Searsport United Methodist Churches in Searsport, Maine. At the request of the United Methodist Church, Jim moved to Waldoboro, Maine, where he served as the Pastor for the Waldoboro United Methodist Church. While at Waldoboro he decided to further his education and was given the opportunity to pursue a graduate degree in theology at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. After completing his studies, he became the Pastor at the Tappan Reformed Church in Tappan, New York, where he served for 23 years before retiring. While in Tappan, Jim served two terms as President of the Classis of Rockland-Westchester for the Reformed Church of America and was the Chaplin for the Tappan Volunteer Fire Department.
Jim married his college sweetheart, Shirley (Lewis) Johnson and together they raised two children while enjoying their life together for more than 52 years serving God and their surrounding communities. After retiring, they split time between their homes in Orlando, Florida and Islesboro, Maine where they remained active in their local churches.
Jim was a man of diverse interests and many passions. Over the years, Jim was a private pilot, a sportsman, a builder, a gardener, an astrologer, an artist, and a cowboy at heart. He loved working with his hands and had an affinity for woodworking. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, sailing, and hiking. He had a passion for reading everything. He was a consummate student of the world around him. He loved spending time with his family and rarely missed his grandchildren's lacrosse games. He enjoyed going to the movies, Louis L'Amour novels, a triple pepperoni pizza and homemade butter pecan ice cream.
Jim was pre deceased by his parents, and his sister Vonnie (Johnson) Hickox. He is survived by his wife, Shirley (Lewis) Johnson, his sons James Johnson, Jr., Orlando, FL and Mark Johnson, Essex Junction, VT; his brother David Johnson, Toronto, Canada; and his sister Elizabeth (Johnson) Beattie, Lancaster, Pa. He will also be greatly missed by James' wife Karen (Gold) Johnson and three grandchildren Jarrid Johnson, Eric Johnson, Jessica Johnson and several brother-in-laws, sisters-in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.
A special thanks to the doctors, nurses and care givers at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine for their expert treatment, communication, compassion and support of Jim and his family during this unexpected and stressful time.
At Jim's request he was cremated at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home in Portland, Maine. A private service will be held for Jim to honor his request for a "Viking" funeral. A memorial service will be held later in the year at a date to be determined to honor his life and service to the community.