James Thomas Johnson passed away on March 6, 2026 - the day after his 99th birthday.

Jim was born James Thomas Ashburn on March 5, 1927, in Akron, OH, to Lena (Pedigo) Ashburn and Leo Ashburn. Lena died when Jim was only 6 years old and he was adopted and reared by his mother's sister, Nell Pedigo Johnson, and his uncle, Thurman Wesley Johnson on their farm in Sparta, TN.

Jim graduated from White County High School in Sparta and left immediately for training in the US Army. World War II ended just as he completed his basic training, and he was sent to Germany and Bavaria to assist with reconstruction. Jim served in various posts from May 1945 to November 1946. He returned home and attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and graduated in August 1950. Jim met Vera Lowe, of Clinton, TN, at UT, and they were married in Clinton on September 9, 1950. After a southern honeymoon, Jim was called back to duty and entered extended active service for the Korean War on September 29. Lt. James T. Johnson served in active and brutal combat for over four months in Korea and was awarded the Bronze Star for Heroism in Action. He was wounded twice and earned the Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster. Jim was finally released from active duty in January 1952.

After returning from Korea, Jim and Vera moved from Tennessee to New Mexico in 1952, where Jim earned a master's degree in Geology at the NM School of Mines (New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology). Both Vera and Jim enjoyed their life in Socorro and fell in love with the Land of Enchantment. From Socorro, they moved to Arlington County, VA, where Jim worked as a cartographer for the USGS.

Jim received an offer from Mobil Oil to work as a geologist in Tripoli, Libya. Jim and Vera lived in Tripoli for 5 years from 1956 to 1961. They traveled every year or two back through Europe and to the United States to visit family and friends. Their son, Donald Eric Johnson, was born while they were in Tripoli and they made several life-long friends among the Americans and Europeans who worked for the various oil companies there. Jim made many long field trips down into the Sahara exploring and prospecting for oil.

From Tripoli, Mobile transferred Jim to Hobbs, NM, and the young family lived there for 5 years. This was their second time to live in NM. Their daughter, Ann Ashburn Johnson, was born in Hobbs. Mobil transferred Jim from Hobbs to Midland, TX in 1966, where they lived until 1976. In 1976, Mobil transferred Jim and the family to Houston, TX, where he lived and worked for Exxon-Mobil until his retirement in 1986.

When Jim retired, he and Vera returned to the Land of Enchantment, built a house, and settled on the west side of Albuquerque, NM. They were early, active, and long-time members of the Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church. They resumed there love of exploring the state, dining out, attending the Albuquerque Little Theater, photography, reading, and, for Jim, sport shooting. Jim always loved guns, reloading, and shooting and won numerous awards for marksmanship with pistols at various ranges and gun clubs wherever he was living. Jim always enjoyed geology and attended many of the Albuquerque Geological Society meetings and presentations.

Through retirement, Jim and Vera continued to travel to explore and to see their children and their grandson, John Thomas Crainer. They also enjoyed visiting Vera's side of the family and attended several of the family weddings and retirement parties. Jim was a kind, quiet, and very intelligent gentleman who was admired by all that knew him. His love of life and family was an inspiration to all of us.

Jim lived his final years at Palmilla Senior Living and the family thanks all the staff there and the staff at Rio Grande Hospice for their kindness, patience, and great care.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Vera Lowe Johnson; his daughter, Ann Ashburn Crainer; parents, Leo (Zora) and Lena Ashburn and Thurman and Nell Johnson; sister, Jean Ashburn Pedigo Karjawally; and brothers, Phillip and Grant Ashburn.

Jim is survived by his son, Donald Johnson (Cheri) of Albuquerque; grandson, JT Crainer (Lucy) of Austin, TX; son-in-law John Paul Crainer of Texas City, TX; brothers, Charles Johnson of McMinnville, TN and Mark Ashburn (Evelena) of Smithville, TN; sister, Carolyn Adcock (Woody) of Smithville; and scores of cousins, nieces, grand-nieces, nephews, and grand-nephews.

There will be no formal service. Donations may be made in Jim's honor to the American Heart Association or any charity of your choice.