James Daniel Johnson, 84, of Fayetteville, NC, passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2024.
Jim was born in Stanly County, NC, on September 29, 1940, to the late Alvin and Cora Johnson. Also preceding him in death was his brother Gerald, and his first cousin and best friend Clay Morgan.
In 5th grade in Albemarle, NC, Jim met the future love of his life, Barbara Sue Smith, although at that time, baseball was much more important than girls. They began dating while at Albemarle High School, and married in 1961. To say that Jim loved Barbara was an understatement, and they adored each other for their 63 ½ years of marriage!
Jim graduated from Wake Forest University, Southeastern Divinity School, Long Island University (masters of counseling), and Eastern Theological Seminary (PhD in marriage and family counseling). He served in the US Army for 20 years as a Southern Baptist chaplain. Jim’s dedication to his military brothers was evident in his volunteering to go to Vietnam in 1967 – 68, where he went into combat, unarmed, with his belief that he should be with those to whom he needed to minister. He received recognition, including three Bronze Stars, for his military service. Jim later wrote about his experiences in Vietnam and his healing journey afterward in his book, “Combat Chaplain.” He dealt with PTSD with the help of VA staff and his own Vietnam brothers, and his and Barbara’s trips to many Vietnam Veterans’ reunions were very meaningful to both of them. Jim later went on to author/co-author three more books, “Combat Trauma,” “A Spousal Response to Combat Trauma,” and “Sense and Nonsense.”
Jim served as Snyder Memorial Baptist Church’s Minister of Counseling for 15 years, starting a counseling outreach program which endeared him to the many people he helped over the years, and to which he felt called, and he thoroughly enjoyed.
As anyone who knew him could attest, Jim thoroughly enjoyed laughing, often being the object of his own funny observations, and making other people laugh was a joy to him! He knew how to connect with others through humor, kindness, and great affection, and he devoted his life to helping other people.
Barbara and Jim enjoyed traveling, visited over 100 countries together, and went on 34 cruises. Time with family has always been a priority, and together they raised their 4 children with love, humor, generosity, and great caring. They have been very involved with their beloved church family at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church for more than 40 years.
Athletics of all types were of interest to Jim. In high school he played on a football team which earned state championship honors 3 of the 4 years, then he played football for Wake Forest University. By the time the Chicago Bears came calling, Jim was ready to take a different route, and instead when to divinity school. Jim was a handball champion when stationed in Germany, and frequent golf games were a pleasure for many years. He enjoyed running, baseball, basketball, and tennis, and was going to the gym up until his illness 5 weeks ago.
Pop’s family consists of his treasured wife Barbara; daughter Kellie Johnson and her wife Kim Donica; son Grey Johnson, his wife Laura Johnson, and daughter Maya Johnson; son Eric Johnson, his wife Julia Nichols and their grandchildren Journey and Colton Nichols; son Stuart Johnson, his wife Adele Johnson, their son Nicholas Johnson and his wife Kiersten Johnson, along with Nick and Kiersten’s daughter Carolina. Pop is also survived by many extended family members whom he deeply loved.
A memorial service was held at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church on Thursday, November 14, at 1 pm, followed by visitation in the gathering hall.
Jim and Barbara were very appreciative of the home ramp built by the Snyder Memorial Baptist Carpentry Ministry, and would welcome any contributions directly to this ministry, in order to help others in need.
Services were entrusted to Sullivan’s Highland Funeral Service and Crematory.
