James Henry Johnson

Life’s Reflection

James Henry Johnson, 83, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2020 at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, KS.  He was born on May 23, 1936 in Idabel, Oklahoma to Arthur Charlie and Annie Mae (Wilson) Johnson.

James grew up in Idabel, Oklahoma. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. James joined the Army in 1959.  Life after the Army led James to work at Western Electric Company and Hallmark Cards.  He finally ended up and retired from the Fire Department of Wyandotte County in Kansas City, KS.  He was one of the founding members of the Honor Guard for the Fire Department.  James was an active member of the Northeast Optimist Club for over 30 years.  He was President from 1988-1989 and served as Lt. Governor for the club in the state of Kansas in 1990-1991.

After retirement he served on the Police Advisory Board for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County. James also worked on the Election Board of Wyandotte County.  He served as a supervisor for his precinct.

James married Milicent Sue Bledsoe in 1959 in Kansas City, KS.  They were married for 48 years. James was a member of the former Community Baptist Church.  James enjoyed gardening, fishing, and golfing.  He was an amateur videographer and loved following the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals.  He never met a casino he did not like.  He loved to watch tennis (Venus and Serena were “his girls”).

James was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Annie Johnson; his wife, Milicent and his eldest sister, Bertha Thornton.

James is survived by his children, Toni Johnson; Keith (Tonya) Johnson; Kathy Johnson and Lance (Florence) Davis; his uncle, William (Bill) Wilson; his siblings, OC Johnson; Ozella (Kenneth) Nuckols; Earnest Johnson; Bobbye Finney; Elma Jo (Carl) Fields; Helen Johnson; Bettye (Elmer) Berry; Billy (Dominique) Johnson; Dorothy Carr and Clifford Johnson; his grandchildren, Jamille (Jebel) Jones; Cameron; Caleb; Rachel; Sydney; Phillip and Emmanuel Davis; his great-grandchild, Zulima Jones; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

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