James Kenneth Johnson Sr., age 82, of Oshkosh, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 at Evergreen Retirement Community following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on February 11, 1921 in Chicago, Illinois a son of the late Henry Thomas and Ethel E. (Brown) Johnson. Jim married the former Dorothy M. Taylor on December 13, 1941 in Chicago. Jim worked as a professor for the University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh for 35 years, retiring in 1984. He was very active in his church, community and Masonic organization, having been past Thrice Illustrious Grand Master of Royal and Select Masons of the State of Wisconsin, and also received the Order of Purple Cross from the York Rite. Jim was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star and the White Shrine of Jerusalem. He greatly enjoyed traveling and camping and will be fondly remembered for his story telling.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Dorothy M. of Oshkosh; two daughters, Judith K. (Michael) Cullen of Brookfield and Janet K. (Thomas) Zak of Oshkosh; two sons, James K. (Marlene) Johnson Jr. of Katy, Texas and John K. Johnson of Oshkosh; a sister, Ethel Jane (Rev. Frank) Kirchner of Hot Springs, Arkansas. He is further survived by four grandchildren, Tommy Zak, Andrea Zak, Casey Johnson and Rory Johnson. He was preceded in death by a son, Ralph H. Johnson.

Funeral services for Jim will be held on Friday, January 2, 2004 at 11 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 137 Algoma Blvd. with the Reverends Ralph and Carol DiBiasio-Snyder officiating. Interment will be in Lake View Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at the church directly on Friday from 9 a.m. until the time of service. There will be a Masonic service for Jim at the church at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church. In lieu of floral expressions, a memorial fund is being established in Jim's name.

Seefeld Funeral and Cremation Services
www.seefeldfuneral.com
920-236-7750