James Rector Johnson

James “Jim” Rector Johnson, 96, of Abilene, died, Tuesday, October 1, 2013 in Abilene. Jim was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania on December 23, 1916, lived in Ohio until the age of 10, then moved to Breckenridge, Texas around 1926. It was there that he met Grace, who had moved with her family from Georgia. His family moved to Abilene, Texas in 1934, and he graduated from high school that same years. Jim left home at age 18 to spend two years working on ranches in New Mexico, a year working on pipeline in Ohio, and then a year working construction in Texas. In 1939 he joined the Army, later moving into the Army Air Corps, serving for 6 years, 9 months, and 27 days. Jim spent 30 months of his service in the China-India-Burma Theater of Operation. He was very proud to have served his country. After the war, Jim returned to Texas. On hearing that Grace was a widow with three small children, he drove to Weatherford to see her and soon asked her to marry him. They were married on May 17, 1946, and moved to Abilene to the home they have owned for 67 years. Two more children were born to them to complete their family. Jim worked for Fraley Butane Company for several years before becoming the Foreman of Housing Maintenance at Dyess Air Force Base, a job he held for 23 years. He worked part time at several jobs he enjoyed after retirement, his favorite being his job at Maxwell Golf Course. Jim was a man of many talents, which he put to good use. He coached baseball teams while his sons were growing up. He was an avid golfer from the time he was young and played the game until he was 93. He was an artist who painted and carved interesting, oftentimes humorous pieces of art, which he often entered at the West Texas Fair. He won several ribbons. One of his favorite pastimes was “doodling”, sketching cowboys, air force planes, and quite a gallery of faces. He was still drawing at the age of 95. He was also quite a writer. He wrote poetry, essays, a short story, and many Letters to the Editor of the Reporter News. He wrote articles for his church paper for 27 years, and after he retired, he compiled those writings into a book entitled “Behold I Stand.” He has given away hundreds of copies of the book, never accepting payment for them. Jim and Grace were faithful members of Brook Hollow Christian Church for over 50 years. Jim served as a deacon and taught a high school Sunday school class for many years. He was always there to help people in need, just as he was always there for his family. He was an unusual and remarkable man who touched many, many lives and will surely be missed. He was preceded in death by two of his grandchildren, Michelle Lassiter and Doug Miller. Jim was also preceded in death by his parents, Rose Lee (Foreman) and Charles T. Johnson; three brothers, Charles, Kit and Paul Johnson, all of Abilene; and a baby sister, Rose. Jim is survived by his wife of 67 years, Grace Johnson of Abilene, and his five children and their spouses: Charlene and Maurice McLeod of Abilene; Marsha and Carroll Lassiter of Dickinson, TX; Ted and Pat Hamilton of Carrollton, TX; Linda and Gary Miller of Fairview, TX; David and Karen Johnson of Abilene, TX. Jim is also survived by nine grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Survivors also include his two sisters, Elizabeth (Bea) Chase and Ann Hawkins, longtime residents of Abilene. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 5, in Elmwood Memorial Park directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Brook Hollow Christian Church with Rev. David Hargrave officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, October 4 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Brook Hollow Christian Church, 2310 S. Willis, Abilene, TX 79605, or Meals on Wheels Plus, PO Box 903, Abilene, TX 79604.