On behalf of the Officers and Compatriots of the West Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, we extend our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of James E. “Jimmy” Johnson who passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2015. James E. “Jimmy” Johnson was a member of the SAR since 1973 and a member of the Greenbrier Valley Chapter of the West Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution. He was a Past Vice President General of the SAR, a Past President of the West Virginia Society SAR (1985) and a Past President of the Greenbrier Valley Chapter. He was a recipient of the SAR Silver Good Citizenship Medal and the SAR Patriot Medal. He was an exceptional Compatriot!
Below is his obituary from the wvgazette
James E. “Jimmy” Johnson, 90, of Alderson, passed on to his eternal rest on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at Peyton Hospice House, Fairlea, following a short illness.
Born Jan. 25, 1925 near Fort Springs, he was the only child of the late Robert S. and May Holt Johnson of Alderson.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Betty Jo Pitzer Johnson, in 2014 and a son, Robert Marshall Johnson, in 1971.
Jimmy is survived by his son, Thomas H. Johnson and wife, Terri, of Lewisburg; daughter, Barbara J. Sanders and husband, David, of Alderson; granddaughter, Cheri J. Grigsby and husband, Mark, of Morgantown; grandson, Michael James Johnson of Lewisburg; and great-grandsons, Chase and Andrew Grigsby of Morgantown.
Jimmy was raised and lived most of his life in Greenbrier County, in Alderson or the surrounding area. He served stateside during World War II as a pilot and pilot instructor in the Army Air Corps, flying P40 Warhawks. He was educated in Alderson area schools and went on to earn both his bachelor and master’s degrees from West Virginia University, then went to work for the WVU Extension Service, serving 32 years as Greenbrier County’s 4-H Club agent. He also farmed at Eastview Farm on Blue Sulphur Springs Road for 48 years.
During his 4-H agent career, he received many commendations and awards, including 4-H All Stars, the University Off-Campus Educator of the Year award and National Distinguished Service award. He held every major office, including the office of president, in the states 4-H Agent Association and the Extension Service Association, and on the National Board of Directors of 4-H Agents Association. He was instrumental in the development of the Greenbrier County Youth Camp. In 2013, Jimmy, along with the Greenbrier County 4-H All Stars History Committee, published the book, “The History of 4-H in Greenbrier County West Virginia 1908-2008.”
Jimmy was also instrumental in, along with others, the development of Greenbrier Community College Center. He served on the Greenbrier County Board of Health, the Bluefield State College Foundation Board and the county’s Farm Bureau Board. He had been a member of the Farm Bureau and the Cattleman’s Association, as well as a member of Alderson Presbyterian Church, where he had served as a deacon and elder for many years. He was a charter member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and was past president both locally and statewide.
Jimmy Johnson was given the “Spirit of the Oak” award by Alderson Schools for outstanding contributions by a citizen of Alderson. He was inducted into the West Virginia 4-H Hall of Fame and the West Virginia Agriculture & Forestry Hall of Fame, both in 2003. He attributed his accolades to his many colleagues, volunteers, friends and family.
There will be a “Celebration of Life” service at Alderson Presbyterian Church, Alderson, at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 28.
The family requests no flowers. Those wishing to make a memorial gift may do so to any of the following: Greenbrier County Youth Camp, c/o Lucie Refsland, 2 Highland Circle, Lewisburg, WV 24901; Greenbrier County 4-H Foundation, c/o Jo Long, P.O. Box 586, Lewisburg, WV 24901; Alderson Community Center, P.O. Box 552, Alderson, WV 24910; Alderson Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 126, Alderson, WV 24910; or Peyton Hospice House, 1265 Maplewood Ave., Lewisburg, WV 24901.
Arrangements by McCraw Funeral Home, Lewisburg.