BOMBER MEMORIAL

JAMES ALFRED "JIM" JOHNSON ~ Class of 1960
October 12, 1942 - March 2, 2016

~

Jim, 73, passed away peacefully at home March 2, 2016. He was born on October 12, 1942, in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

He and his family moved to Richland when he was three years old. He graduated from Richland's Columbia High School in 1960 and then attended the University of Washington and graduated with a degree in Construction Management in 1965. He started his professional career with Vitro Engineering in Richland as the youngest Chief Estimator in Vitro-Richland history. His career included work as a Field Piping Cost and Schedule Engineer for Bechtel Power in San Francisco and in Richland at the Fast Flux Test Facility Reactor Site. After Bechtel, he worked as the Chief Estimator for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) working on new nuclear power plants, fossil power plants and hydroelectric generating plants. While at TVA he traveled to Melbourne, Australia, as a Loaned Executive to work for the Loy Yang power plant.

Jim continued his professional career as an independent consultant working as a Project Controls consultant for the nuclear industry at the River Bend and South Texas Plants. He also worked for HDR in Omaha, NE as Chief Estimator for HDR’s Design-Build Industry.

At Heery International, Inc. he was the Manager of Technical Services. Projects included K-12 schools, courthouses, prisons, office buildings, universities and the Seward Alaska Aquarium. Jim preformed executive level assignments in claims analysis, cost and schedule analysis and cost estimating.

Jim prepared and published several articles and papers in the American Association of Cost Engineers. He valued continuing education throughout his career and life. He attended the graduate school of business at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a concentration in management science. He served as an Adjunct Professor of Construction Management at Southern Polytechnic State University. Most recently he was enrolled at Kennesaw State University pursuing a BA in History and Philosophy. Jim was a voracious reader and avid student of genealogy. He maintained an extensive library in his home. He also spent many years researching his family history and provided extensive family trees.

Growing up in Richland, he participated in youth sports through his high school years and in adult leagues. He was an exceptionally talented baseball, softball and basketball player. While a Pony League player he played on a championship team at the regional level in California. He continued to enjoy sporting events throughout his lifetime.

Jim was a devoted husband, father and friend. He was a selfless man and always put others first. He was thoughtful, kind and generous and had deep love for the Lord.

Jim and Peggy were married for 26 years and have lived in Marietta, GA since 1996.

He was predeceased by his parents Macel and Alva Johnson; and siblings Robert Johnson ('50) and Susie Haney.

Survivors include his wife of 26 years Margaret “Peg” Johnson; children Kristin Styers Sangid (Dave), Dr. Amy Bringardner, Lauren E. Johnson, and Jack E. Johnson; two grandchildren Kara and Will; siblings Janice Johnson Chunn ('63)(Malcom) and William "Bill" Johnson ('57) (Joyce Green ('57)); nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service was held on March 6, 2016, at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta, GA and interment followed at Kennesaw Memorial Park Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Northside Hospital Cancer Foundation, 1000 Johnson Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA 30342.

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