James E. Johnson

One of the last of the Greatest Generation, “Popeye or Pop” Johnson received his reward on December 6, 2021, at the age of 93 years. Born James Edward Johnson on February 16, 1928, in Cato, Arkansas. James is a rare breed; in that, he joined the navy at the age of 16 when he lied about his age to get into WW II, where he fought the Japanese on an island somewhere in the Pacific from 1944 until the end of the war. James then joined the Marines in 1948 and fought in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War, where he was stationed in DaNang and returned back to the US right before the onset of the TET offensive. After serving 22 years in the military, he was employed by the Department of Defense at the Eglin Airforce Base, as a manager for property disposal for the entire base. He then was asked to serve in the same function at the US Airbase located in Heidelberg, Germany for 3 years and then returned back to Eglin Airforce Base. James put in a total of 20 years in the Department of Defense, where he earned many awards and citations for excellence and management. Next, James spent 12 years at Citgo Fuel Refinery in Niceville, Florida, where he was a safety fuel line inspector.

                During his lifetime he was a member of the United Pentecostal Church in Niceville, Florida, and recently a member of the Calvary Church in Crestview, Florida. James was asked to help in many leadership roles in every church where he was a member. This included being on the board, treasurer, and Sunday school superintendent. While he was a member of the United Pentecostal Church in Blytheville, Arkansas, he started one of the first jail ministries in the entire state of Arkansas. He lead many prisoners to the Lord. James was all about helping friends, neighbors, and even strangers in need. This took the form of him buying groceries for many families, shoes and clothes for their children, and even paying their bail. Later in life James showed the same Christian character by doing yard work, clearing land, cutting firewood, and doing anything where he was able to be a help.

                James was preceded in death by his parents, John Dilmus and Eva Johnson, his siblings: Bonnie Marcona (Bruce), Edith Adena, Phonsie Inez, John Dilmus Jr., Marvin Conockulus, Ophelia June (Toot), Arkansas Fountainell (Johnny), Vera Lousie (Brownie), Violet May (Tookie) and Evelyn Marie, Calvert Hayes Johnson (Jiggs) and his first wife Neille Johnson and his second wife Beth Elizabeth Johnson. His surviving family includes his sisters Omega Z. (Mickey) and Margaret Rowena (Granny) both of California and his son Glenn E. Johnson and his wife, Carolyn of Sherwood, Arkansas. Grandchildren: Trae and Erica Johnson, along with a host of nieces and nephews.

                The Johnson family would like to give a special thanks to Elisa Corbett, his caregiver, for her excellent service. Linda Harrison and family, longtime family friends for all of his medical needs, and was a great advocate for James. We owe them a great debt of gratitude.

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