He was born in Hancock on June 17, 1928, a son of the late Alfred and Elizabeth (Olson) Johnson.

Jim was a 1947 graduate of the Hancock Central High School, and in 1951, received his B.S. in forestry degree from Michigan Technological University.

On March 24, 1951, he was married to Ruth E. Koskela. They resided in Alberta, Michigan, for 30 years where they raised their family.

Jim was employed at Roddis Lumber & Veneer Company, the U.S. Forest Service, M.T.U. Forestry Center and the Forest Improvement District. He was also a Lay Pastor for Apostolic Lutheran Churches.

Jim was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving from 1952 to 1954.

He was a member of the Watton Apostolic Lutheran Church and served on various boards of the A.L.C. of America. He was a member and achieved the status of Fellow in the Society of American Foresters, and also was a member of the Stanton Senior Citizens.

Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, kayaking and cross country skiing.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ruth; five children, Jane (Gordon) Sunnarborg of Whitefish, Montana, Christine (William) Sandstrom of Wrenshall, Minnesota, Colleen Wonch of Farmington, Arkansas, Lori (William) Smith of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Dr. Thomas Johnson of Grass Lake, Michigan; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one aunt, Ethel Johnson of Houghton; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides his parents, Jim was also preceded in death by three sisters and three brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2015, in the Tapiola Apostolic Lutheran Church with Pastor Ken Storm to officiate.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on Thursday in the church. Burial will be in the Oskar Cemetery with military rites to be conducted by the Copper Country Veteran’s Association.

Arrangements are being handled by the Jukuri-Antila Funeral Home of Hancock, Antila Funeral Service, Inc.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at antilafuneral.com.