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James L. Johnson
Born: 11/16/1936
Died: 8/17/2026
Age: 89
Community: New Lothrop, MI
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Beloved James L. Johnson died on Monday, August 17, 2026, in the hometown he was born in 89 years earlier. Born November 16, 1936, in New Lothrop, Michigan, Jim was the first child of Emmett and Minnie (Conklin) Johnson. Marilyn and Jerry soon joined the family. In high school when he wasn’t involved in pranks, Jim worked at a local gas station and played high school sports. Graduating in 1954 from New Lothrop High School, Jim was both the varsity football team captain and the senior class president. Immediately after graduation, Jim joined the Navy and served for four years. His assignments took him to Sasebo and Yokosuka Naval Bases, Japan. He reached the rank of Yeoman Third Class Petty Officer and was the assistant for his ship’s chaplain.
While stationed at Long Beach Naval Air Station in 1955, he met Marie Annabelle Martinez when he and a friend were helping a lost child find his parents. Jim asked Ann on a date, proposed marriage a week later, and were married August 18, 1956. First child, Tony, joined the family in 1957. Jim was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1958, and the family moved back to New Lothrop.
Jim started working for Chevrolet Manufacturing in the fall of 1958, just after Mary Ann was born. In quick succession, Dan, Judy, Yvette, and Betty joined the family, and James Jr. completed the family in 1968. Jim worked several additional jobs through those years, including at local slaughterhouses and was the sexton at Elmwood Cemetery for many years from which he received the nickname ‘Digger.’. He always found time to support his children in their various activities, including football games, concerts, plays, and band competitions.
Jim’s love for his family was followed closely by his love for his garden and beloved ponies. Jim proudly raised a garden for over 50 years, from which many people were blessed and his children learned to work. Jim raised ponies for many years, and oftentimes his ponies, covered wagon, and buggy cart participated in parades and weddings. Jim started playing Santa in those years, driving his buggy cart filled with gifts to deliver to family members around town. Even after giving up his ponies, Jim continued to dress up as Santa for over 50 years, oftentimes driving over 200 miles on Christmas Eve and bringing joy and delight. Santa visited gatherings that expected him, and many times Santa just surprised friends by greeting all with a jolly Ho! Ho! Ho! It was a treasured memory to be Santa’s driver.
Jim was very involved in many organizations throughout the years, including the Knights of Columbus, VFW, square dancing groups. Jim also loved playing cards with family and friends at home, restaurants, cruises, airports, and anywhere there was enough space. Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ann, and his parents, Emmett and Minnie. He is survived by his children Tony and Alice, Mary Ann and John, Dan and Jennifer, Judy and Chuck, Yvette and Curtis, Betty and Tom, Jim and Nancy; 15 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and siblings Marilyn and Jerry (Barbara).
Visitation for Jim will take place on Thursday, August 27, 2026 from 3:00PM until 7:00PM with a eulogy at 6:00PM followed by a KC Rosary at 6:30PM, at McGeehan Funeral Homes - New Lothrop Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, August 28, 2026 at 11:00AM, with visitation one hour before mass, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Maple Grove. Please join the family for a luncheon immediately after the funeral.
Memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, Heart of the Nation, or St. Michael Catholic Church of Maple Grove.
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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8/27/2026 |
| Time: |
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7:00 PM |
| Visitation for Jim will take place on Thursday, August 27, 2026 from 3:00PM until 7:00PM with a eulogy at 6:00PM followed by a KC Rosary at 6:30PM, at McGeehan Funeral Homes - New Lothrop Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, August 28, 2026 at 11:00AM, with visitation one hour before mass, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Maple Grove. |
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| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
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8/28/2026 |
| Time: |
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11:00 AM |
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| Location: |
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St. Michael's Catholic Church
17994 Lincoln Road
New Lothrop, MI 48460Get a Map to this location...
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