Jim Johnson

James Griffin Johnson Jr., 65, died Monday, Dec. 31, 2007, at Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth, Miss., while recovering from surgery Dec. 14. He was a resident of Counce, Tenn. Born July 22, 1942, in Savannah, Tenn., he graduated from Hardin County High School in 1960. He went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from Middle Tennessee State University, serving as a teaching assistant and graduating in 1966. He taught junior-college mathematics at Marion Military Institute in Marion, Ala., before moving to Nashville, Tenn., in 1969 to begin work as a computer systems analyst at National Life and Accident Insurance Co. and at NLT Computer Services. In 1981 he began what would be a long career as a computer systems consultant (particularly to the insurance industry), serving companies in Austin, Texas; New York City; Dallas; Indianapolis; and, finally, in Jackson, Miss. He retired in December 2006. Jim was a gentle, big-hearted Christian man with a keen intellect and sense of humor, an impressive knowledge of practically every subject, a kind word for everyone, and an unfailing devotion to his family. He was a sports fan, particularly of football, and had a fondness for cards and board games. He simply enjoyed sharing time with those he loved—and he always left everyone with a smile on their faces. Jim leaves behind his wife of nine years, Sherrilyn Speer Johnson; two children, Walt Johnson (Julia) and Jenny Perkins (David); two stepchildren, Phillip Tucker and Christy Bethel (Doug); four grandchildren, Maggie and Turner Johnson and Will and Kate Perkins; one sister, Gayle Wallis (Benny); one half-sister, Marilyn Baugus; nieces and nephews; and a multitude of devoted friends. His parents, James Griffin Johnson Sr. and Lillian Harrison Johnson, of Savannah, preceded him in death. A memorial service will be Wednesday, Jan. 2, at noon at the Savannah Church of Christ, 1175 Pickwick St., Savannah; visitation with the family from 10 a.m. until noon at the church building. A brief graveside service will be Friday, Jan. 4, at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 660 Thompson Lane, Nashville, Tenn., at 11:30 a.m., with interment to follow; visitation with the family will precede the service from 10 to 11:30 at Woodlawn Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jim’s honor to the Savannah Church of Christ Missions Committee, 1175 Pickwick St., Savannah, TN 38372; or to Room in the Inn of Nashville, Campus for Human Development, P.O. Box 25309, Nashville, TN 37202-5309.