James Joel Johnson

TRAVERSE CITY - James "Jim" Joel Johnson, 73, of Traverse City, passed away on Thursday, December 21, 2017 after a year long battle with cancer. Jim was born on February 22, 1944 in Paris, TX, to the late Joel T. and Arline A. (Joyce) Johnson.

Jim grew up in Livonia and attended Michigan State University. He met the love of his life Janet L. Lindberg and was married on June 18, 1966 and the couple raised two children together. They lived in many places before settling in Traverse City where he opened the first Edward Jones office in town in 1987.

Jim is a U.S.M.C. veteran of the Vietnam War and proudly served his country for 4 years. He was on the Board of Trustees for Trinity Lutheran Church and enjoyed participating with the American Legion Riders. He was a great adventurer and traveled the world with Janet. He loved hunting especially at his Colorado elk camp and grizzly bear hunting in Russia. He had a passion for golfing, skiing and motorcycling including a "Frozen Iron Butt" trip across the USA and to Alaska and Canada.

He is survived by his wife Janet: son Brad J. (Amy) Johnson: daughter Heather J. (Yancy) Boivin: grandchildren, Christian and Ella Boivin, Jack, Max, and Samantha Johnson; a brother and many cherished nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

A visitation will be held for family and friends on Friday, January 12, 2018 from 6-8 pm at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held the following day on Saturday, January 13, at 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church with visitation held one hour prior at 10 am.

Memorial contributions in Jim's name may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church or American Legion Post 35.

Please share your thoughts and memories with Jim's family by way of his online guestbook by visiting www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .