James "Jim" Philip Johnson, 69, of Traverse City, passed away on June 3, 2015. Jim was born in Marshall, MN on August 06, 1945 to Reynold and Lillian (Fest) Johnson.

Jim graduated from Mankato State University, magna cum laude, in December 1967. He moved to Michigan to begin his 30-year teaching career and met his future wife, Jane Susan Durham, during that first week in the state. They were married on June 7, 1969 in Flushing, MI where they had both accepted teaching positions in the Flushing Community Schools. They were blessed with a son Bryan, born in 1974, and daughter Krista, born in 1976.

Jim was an avid woodcarver, who loved carving Santas and ducks and giving them to family and friends.

In 1997, he and Jane retired to Traverse City where he enjoyed life, making new friends in the various activities he joined. One of his proudest accomplishments was his work on family genealogy.

He leaves behind his wife, Jane, of 46 years; son Bryan (Christina Nordstrom) Johnson; daughter Krista (Sean) Frame; granddaughters, Dorothea and Liliana Johnson, Keelie and McCauley Frame; brothers, Clarence (Constance) Johnson, Thomas (Marilyn) Johnson, John (Patricia) Johnson; sister, Ellen (Peter) Kincanon; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Mary Beth and John Schauer and many friends.

James was preceded in death by his parents; Reynold and Lillian Johnson and sister, Carol Johnson.

Visitation will be at St. Francis Catholic Church, Friday, June 5, 2015 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a rosary prayed at 7 :00 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated at the church on Saturday, June 6, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation held one hour prior.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jim's name to the Father Fred Foundation and Munson Hospice House.

Kindly share your memories with Jim's family by way of his online guestbook at www.reynolds-joinkhoff.com .

The family is being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.