James "Jim" H. Johnson

James Henry Johnson, 72, died peacefully while surrounded with loved ones on June 23, 2021, at his home in Paola, KS, after a courageous battle with cancer. Jim was born in Paola, KS, on September 1, 1948, to parents Gilbert and Helen Johnson, the second of nine children. He spent his entire youth growing up in Hillsdale, KS, graduating from Spring Hill High School in 1966. He would paint pictures of his youth as a Mark Twain, Norman Rockwell existence. He loved to share stories about his childhood in the 50’s and 60’s, when the world was a much better place. He spoke fondly of adventures in the Hillsdale woods, hunting and fishing, tending to the family’s large garden, befriending the many transients getting off the trains, playing sports, and the many friends he shared these experiences with. Many of these Hillsdale kids he grew up with were his lifelong friends. He spoke of baling hay, mowing the cemetery, shoveling coal, working at Coburn’s Grocery, and doing any other odd jobs he could find to help out with the family finances. Growing up in a small home with nine children, living quarters were tight, privacy was non-existent and times were tough, but the home was filled with an abundance of love and adventure. At the heart of everything, and every story, his older brother Gilbert was always by his side; lifelong best friends and brothers until the very end. In 1965, Jim agreed to go on a blind date with his older brother Gilbert, along with Gilbert’s girlfriend, Margaret. Jim had heard so many good things about Margaret’s cousin, Wilma. After that date, as a senior in high school, Jim immediately knew he found the woman he was going to marry, Wilma Jean Lyons. Jim and Wilma were united in marriage on December 16, 1966, and ended up sharing 55 wonderful years together. Jim and Wilma are lifelong Paola residents, and raised three boys together in the community they loved. Jim went to work right out of high school in 1966 for Paola Floral, delivering flowers in the big city of Paola. He would go on to purchase this business in 1976, and also opened up several greenhouses in 1979. He was always appreciative of the support the community gave his business, and Jim became a pillar of the community. He loved the environment and appearance of the town square when it was thriving. When Walmart came to town, he predicted with perfect accuracy, the consequences this would bring over time to his beloved town square. Jim went through a long stretch in his life where he had his hand involved in a little bit of everything in Paola. He was proud of his service to Paola Youth Baseball, the Chamber of Commerce, the Paola Heartland Car Show, and American Legion Baseball. He was very involved with the revitalization of the square in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Later in life, he played a significant role in bringing the World War ll Memorial project to life. He never served in the military, but his father saw action in World War ll, so the military was always near and dear to his heart. Jim truly had a servant’s heart when it came to causes he supported in the town he loved. He put Paola first, and knew that good fortune would follow with his business endeavors. He loved being someone everybody knew. Throughout life, Jim was an avid outdoorsman, and had a passion for hunting and fishing. He spoke of his many Canadian fishing adventures with friends, pheasant hunts in western Kansas, and the hundreds of dollars in lost fishing lures his children and grandchildren cost him. Hunting and fishing were a necessity in his early life, and a luxury in his adult life. He enjoyed watching the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals games, and he enjoyed challenging family and friends on his billiards table. He grew up playing pool in Hillsdale, and was known to hustle all of us out of a buck or two over the years at one time or another. Later in life, Jim dedicated every spare second he had to attending his grandchildren’s various sports activities. He would swell with pride when discussing his grandkid’s various pursuits and interests. He was the best husband, brother, father and grandfather anyone could ask for. He was kind, funny, hard-working, selfless and truly had a servant’s heart. He was the perfect patriarch of a large family, and led with his deeds and actions, never having a bad word to say about anyone. He was the man we should all aspire to be. From his humble beginnings through all his accomplishments and friendships, Jim was a true self-made American success story. Jim is survived by his wife, Wilma Jean and three sons, James Henry Jr. (Patty) of Allen, TX; Jeffrey Allen (Amy) of McKinney, TX; and Jeremiah Lee (Karla) of Spring Hill, KS. He has ten surviving grandchildren, James Henry III (Kasey) of Pilot Point, TX; Andrew (Katherine) of Howe, TX; Courtney of McKinney, TX; Kyle of Kansas City, MO; Alyssa of Minneapolis, MN; Luke of McKinney, TX; Ashlee of Tonganoxie, KS; Emilee of Overland Park, KS; Lyndsee of Overland Park, KS; and Katee of Paola, KS. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren. Jim is survived by one brother, Gilbert Johnson; and three sisters, Millie Joeckel and Diana Kay Cox, all of Osawatomie, KS; and Rosie Gilbeau of Ottawa, KS. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Helen Johnson; two brothers, Gary and David; and two sisters, Alice Zanders and Marjorie (Beatty) Minor. Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside service at Hillsdale Cemetery on Sunday, June 27, 2021, at 4:30 PM. Memories and condolences can be posted on Jim's tribute wall.