James I Johnson

MADISON–James Irvin Johnson, age 61, passed away on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, in Madison. Jim was born in Milwaukee on July 11, 1954, to Marvin and Dorothy Johnson. Jim married Bonnie Busch on April 7, 1978. Jim graduated from East High School, in September,1972, joined the United States Navy and was stationed on the U.S.S. Coral Sea as an Airman. While in the Unites States Navy, he was also an air traffic controller as well as a recruiter. In 1976, Jim began working for AT&T. It was at AT&T where he met and fell in love with Bonnie. Jim retired from AT&T in 2006, after having worked there for 30 years. He loved spending time with his family, reading and traveling. In his free time, Jim enjoyed traveling across the country for aircraft carrier reunions. He also helped with the Badger Honor Flight. Jim is survived by his brother, Robert (Sandra Burr) Johnson of Cottage Grove; sisters, Debra (Charles) Lund of Eau Claire and Patricia Johnson of Cottage Grove; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie Johnson; parents, Marvin and Dorothy Johnson; and grandparents. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5001 N. Sherman Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015, with Monsignor Charles Schluter presiding. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., on Monday, Nov. 23, 2015, and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Tuesday. Burial with military rites will be held at Highland Memory Gardens. There will be a luncheon at the church following the service. Memorials may be made to American Heart Association www.heart.org/HEARTORG/ and Badger Honor Flight http://www.badgerhonorflight.org/. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420