James Johnson

James “Jim” Roger Johnson died Sept 14 of emphysema. He was born in March of 1946 in Butte, Montana to Leonard and Alice Johnson. During his childhood he lived in Glacier Park, Great Falls, Cody, and Billings. He graduated from Billings West High in 1965. He joined the US Navy right out of high school and served on the USS Bon Homme Richard during Viet Nam. He married Sue Barowky-Jackson in 1969 and they had a daughter Nikole. They later divorced in 1982. Jim and Tracy Gerringa were married in 1989 and had two daughters, Kelsey and Kaitlyn. Throughout his life he had various jobs but the last 20 years or so he was self-employed as an arborist. He loved trees, and he loved making them look great and healthy. As we drove around town he would point out “his” trees, and while years later he might not remember the name, he would remember the tree, the yard, the pets and the people. Above all else, he enjoyed his customers and would come home knowing someone's entire life story. More than once he was tempted to bring home a dog, and once actually did. Jim could build and fix anything, from a broken Barbie Doll truck to a piece of furniture or a beautifully remodeled room. Fixing things, building things, and taking care of his family were his life's work and fun, along with fishing, camping and family vacations. Many things around our home came from a sentence starting with, “Do you think you can make…..”, the answer was always yes, and the result was always better than we had originally envisioned. He is survived by his wife, Tracy; beloved daughters, Nikole (Terry) Gribben, Kelsey and Kaitlyn; grandson, Simon Kasey; brother, John; and several cousins. A memorial service will be held in the spring, and interment will be in Yellowstone National Veterans Cemetery in Laurel, Montana. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com