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Obituary for JAMES MOSES JOHNSON
James Moses Johnson was born May 1, 1936 in Dixie, Arkansas to James Preston and Beatrice Vanessa (McKinney) Johnson. After the death of his mother when he was three years old he moved with his father to Alton, Illinois. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at an early age and was baptized at St. John Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. T.P. Wright.
JM or "Jam" as he was affectionately called, graduated from Alton Senior High School in 1954. Shortly thereafter he joined the United States Navy where he served for nine years and achieved the rank of E-4 (SH3). After serving in the Navy he obtained an associate's degree from Lewis and Clark College. JM was a member of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Masonic Family. He worked for McDonnell Douglas from 1964-1974 and in August 1974 relocated to San Francisco, California where he entered an engineering training program. He joined FMC in 1976 and was employed there as a Logistics Engineer until he retired in 1998. One of his proudest accomplishments was his work on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, which he helped design and manage. He was an avid traveler visiting places as far away as Paris, London, Japan, Korea, Germany, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. He spent an extensive amount of time in Kuwait during which time he learned to read and speak Arabic.
He was a caring and loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He had a generous spirit and was always there to help in times of need.
JM transitioned from this life on September 5, 2017 in Washington, D.C. He is preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Lucille Irvine; brother, Robert White; sisters, Kathleen Matlock and Dorothy Hunter; aunts, Lutisha Taylor and Letha Knox; uncles Edward Johnson and Lee Johnson; children, Kimberly Johnson, Derryl Johnson and Lathan Smith; grandson, Dimitri Bradshaw and great grandson, Jamyus Barnett.
He leaves to cherish his memory his children: Karen Barnett (Harry) of Brighton, IL; Teresa Jackson (Will Graves) of San Antonio, TX; James Johnson of Lanham, MD; Tracy John son (Renee Wilson) of Atwater, CA; Jamont Johnson (Cynthia) of Hayward, CA; JaMuir Robinson (Jason) of La Plata, MD; 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; his sisters: Evelyn Will s (Bob); Barbara Miller (Simeon); Linda Timms (Charles); and his beloved dog, Yogi. JM's earthly journey has ended but his heavenly journey has just begun.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Thursday
14
Sep
10:30 AM9/14/2017 10:30:00 AM
- 11:30 AM
9/14/2017 11:30:00 AM
