1968
James
2014
James Christian Johnson
October 31, 1968 — October 8, 2014
On Wednesday afternoon, James Christian Johnson, 45, left this world and went to the city where the streets have no name. He passed away at St. Elizabeth's after complications from pneumonia.
James was born Oct. 31, 1968, to Bob and Judy Johnson in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, where he lived until he was a high school sophomore. He spent the rest of high school in Lenox, Massachusetts, and graduated from Stevens Christian School in 1987. In Lenox, he learned to ski and ride freestyle bikes, which both became lifelong hobbies. After graduation, he spent a brief time living on a houseboat in Miami, Florida, where he divided his time between inner city mission work and bridge-jumping.
After that, he attended Maryland Bible College and Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland, where he met Sarah B. Sweet, who became his best friend and wife on Feb. 1, 1991. Sarah and James moved to Youngstown after the birth of their first child, and they would have eight children altogether: Lauren, Emily, Matthew, Andrew, Samuel, Abigail, Will, and Elise.
James was a master carpenter and could fix anything. He loved woodworking projects, fishing and visiting the park with his children, and listening to the Indians on the radio. He was a loyal, lifelong Steelers fan.
To know James was to love him. He loved an underdog and was always generous using his time and talents to help others. James was a free spirit, a thrill seeker, and abhorred the conventional and routine.
James was preceded in death by his father, who he missed terribly and with whom he is now reunited. He is survived by his wife and children, his brother, Sean R. (Charmine) of Baltimore, sister Jennifer (Don) Fischer of Youngstown, and their mother, Judy Johnson, as well as a large extended family. He will be missed tremendously.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday from 2-4 pm at Becker Funeral Home, 11 Spring St., Struthers, and Sunday from 1:15-2 pm at Poland Village Baptist Church with service following at 2 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that monetary donations be made care of Lydia Minford, 265 Kolb Rd., Pottstown PA 19475.
James was born Oct. 31, 1968, to Bob and Judy Johnson in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, where he lived until he was a high school sophomore. He spent the rest of high school in Lenox, Massachusetts, and graduated from Stevens Christian School in 1987. In Lenox, he learned to ski and ride freestyle bikes, which both became lifelong hobbies. After graduation, he spent a brief time living on a houseboat in Miami, Florida, where he divided his time between inner city mission work and bridge-jumping.
After that, he attended Maryland Bible College and Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland, where he met Sarah B. Sweet, who became his best friend and wife on Feb. 1, 1991. Sarah and James moved to Youngstown after the birth of their first child, and they would have eight children altogether: Lauren, Emily, Matthew, Andrew, Samuel, Abigail, Will, and Elise.
James was a master carpenter and could fix anything. He loved woodworking projects, fishing and visiting the park with his children, and listening to the Indians on the radio. He was a loyal, lifelong Steelers fan.
To know James was to love him. He loved an underdog and was always generous using his time and talents to help others. James was a free spirit, a thrill seeker, and abhorred the conventional and routine.
James was preceded in death by his father, who he missed terribly and with whom he is now reunited. He is survived by his wife and children, his brother, Sean R. (Charmine) of Baltimore, sister Jennifer (Don) Fischer of Youngstown, and their mother, Judy Johnson, as well as a large extended family. He will be missed tremendously.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday from 2-4 pm at Becker Funeral Home, 11 Spring St., Struthers, and Sunday from 1:15-2 pm at Poland Village Baptist Church with service following at 2 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that monetary donations be made care of Lydia Minford, 265 Kolb Rd., Pottstown PA 19475.
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