James (Jim) Randall Johnson

James Randall Johnson (“Jim”) passed away at home in Jonesboro, Arkansas, on November 19, 2020 after an extended illness.

Jim was born on September 12, 1951 in Flint, Michigan, to the late James Bryant and Dorothy Mae Johnson (née Perkins). He grew up in nearby Grand Blanc, Michigan, graduating from Grand Blanc High School in 1969. After high school, Jim enrolled at Louisiana State University and completed his undergraduate education at Eastern Michigan University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science.

In 1974, at age 22, Jim was the Republican nominee for a seat in the Michigan Senate, losing to future U.S. Congressman Dale Kildee. His political aspirations undeterred, Jim ran for a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives in 1976 but again came up short. Politics would remain one of Jim’s many lifelong interests.

Jim enrolled at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, in 1978 and earned his Juris Doctor in 1981. In 1980, while in law school, Jim joined the United States Navy Reserve. Upon graduation from law school, Jim reported to Newport, Rhode Island, for Officer Candidate School (OCS). While attending OCS, Jim received the Alfred Award, which is given to recognize outstanding scholarship and command of language, evidenced in an essay on a topic related to naval traditions and sea power. Following OCS, Jim successfully completed Naval Justice School and reported for duty as a judge advocate at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, in 1982. At NSGL, Jim served as court-martial defense counsel and received numerous accolades from his commanding officers for his zealous representation of accused servicemembers. In 1983, Jim was deployed to the U.S.S. Orion in the Mediterranean Sea. Jim was honorably discharged from active duty in 1984 and continued to serve in the Navy Reserve until 1992, ultimately rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

Following his discharge from the Navy, Jim entered private practice at Sturtz & Weaver, P.C. in Saginaw, Michigan. In 1987 – at age 36 and just six years into his legal career – Jim was hired as General Counsel of Memorial Hospital in Owosso, Michigan. He served in expanding executive roles, culminating in his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Memorial in 1992. In 1994, Jim joined the Mitchell Corporation, an Owosso-based auto industry supplier, as Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Jim returned to private practice in the late 1990s, founding his own solo practice firm in the Tri-Cities area. Jim had a strong sense of civic duty and held leadership roles in many charitable and philanthropic organizations including Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, Kiwanis International, the United Way, the American Cancer Society, and his children’s school booster clubs.

Of all the places his life and career took him, the college classroom was where Jim truly felt a sense of purpose. Beginning in law school and continuing until his death, Jim taught college courses in law, political science, economics, and business at institutions around the country, including Baker College (Mich.), Spring Arbor College (Mich.), College of Lake County (Ill.), Lansing Community College (Mich.), Davenport University (Mich.), Saginaw Valley State University (Mich.), Northwood University (Mich.), Ithaca College (N.Y.), and Arkansas State University. He cherished his relationships with his students and personally invested in their success. With his former wife, Gail Hoffman, he instilled the value of higher education in his children and took great pride in their academic pursuits.

Jim had an adventurous spirit and led an active lifestyle when his health permitted. He traveled the world, ran marathons, climbed mountains, and sailed the Great Lakes. Jim was a voracious reader and maintained an ever-expanding library of books, which were his most prized possessions. He was an avid sports fan, passionately rooting for his favorite collegiate and professional teams; none more so than the reigning N.C.A.A. football national champions, the L.S.U. Tigers.

Jim is survived by his sister Sharon Gaile Johnson; son Christopher R. Johnson, Esq. (Courtney N. Lovelace); son Adam P. Johnson; daughter Dr. Alexandra L. (Nick) Gamber; grandson Oliver P. Gamber; niece Dawn Gooding; nephew David DeLisle; and his beloved dog Mandy.

Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro, Arkansas, handled final arrangements and Jim was cremated in accordance with his wishes. A memorial service will be planned for a future date when circumstances permit. To sign an online guestbook, go to emersonfunealhome.com. Those wishing to make memorial donations are encouraged to consider the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (A.S.P.C.A.).

Fair winds and following seas, Jim. You will be missed.