Dr. James (Jim) E. Johnson, 82, of Leola, PA passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, July 23, 2021. Born in Ontonagon, Michigan, he was the son of the late Charles and Irene Johnson. He was the loving husband to Margie Johnson for 60 years.

If you spend any time talking with Jim, you likely know that he grew up in the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan. He often told stories about his life in the UP, especially how he survived the UP winters. He often joked that life in the UP consisted of nine months of winter and three months of rough sledding. He loved hunting for partridge in the Michigan woodlands and he would fish in the lakes and streams with his parents. There were only 7-8 other homes in the small "town" where he grew up, Victoria, and on a good summer, there were about 15 people that lived in those homes. His father, Charles Johnson, worked for the hydroelectric dam near their home and Jim also worked for the company when he was younger. Although he left the UP to pursue his education and career, he enjoyed taking his family to visit Michigan, spending at least two weeks of every summer visiting his parents and Margie's family.

He attended school in a nearby town, Rockland, where his height gave him a distinct advantage on the basketball court. He enjoyed playing basketball 1:1 in the driveway and in pick-up games with co-workers or members of his church. He was an avid sports fan throughout his life and he enjoyed bantering about basketball, the University of Michigan sports teams, and of course, The Green Bay Packers.

He was taught to play the piano by his aunt and his love of gospel music continued through his life. He learned to play the organ, a skill that he put to use when he was the organist for The Lancaster First Assembly of God for a number of years. Although he could read music, most of the time he played "by ear" in his own unique style. More recently, he would play hymns or Christmas Carols for the family to sing along during the holidays or special occasions. He loved Gospel Music and would attend "Gospel Sings" as often as he could. He loved to bring his children to these "Sings" when they were younger and his grandchildren whenever he could.

Jim met Margie when he visited Margie's church while attending school at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. After one and a half years of dating, they married before moving to Ann Arbor where Jim attended the University of Michigan to get his Master's in Social Work.

Jim received his Master's in Social Work from the University of Michigan in 1963. Following graduation, he took a Social Work position at the VA Hospital in Danville, Illinois. A few years later, he moved on to be the Director of the Coles County Mental Health Clinic in Mattoon, Illinois. In 1971, the family moved to PA when Jim took a position as the Director of Social Work at Philhaven Hospital, a position he held for 14 years. He continued his education and received his Master's of Arts and Religion from Myerstown Evangelical Theological School of Theology in 1986, and he received his Doctorate in Ministry to the Family from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1987. He was honored as the Alumnus of the Year by Myerstown Evangelical Theological Seminary in 2011.

Always seeking to integrate mental health and ministry to families, Jim founded Shepherd's Touch/Upward Call and he served as the Executive Director of the agency until his recent retirement from that position. Throughout his years of counseling, Dr. J was intentional about integrating scripture and prayer into the therapy process. Never one to stop teaching or helping others, he continued to provide psychotherapy to individuals and families. He was also an adjunct professor teaching Marital and Family Therapy at Myerstown Evangelical Seminary and Lancaster Bible College. Jim was an author of several books, including The Gift of a Sound Mind, Freedom From Depression, and Weaving the Family Tapestry. At the time of his death, he was working on several new writing projects.

Jim was a member of the The Worship Center. An ordained minister, Jim served on the pastoral staff at The Worship Center for a number of years and continued to serve as a member of the Worship Center Minister's Network.

Although sad for their loss, Jim's family is confident that he is looking down and watching over them now. This is likely a familiar vantage point for him, since standing at 6' 6", he was always looking down from above.

In addition to his wife, Margie, he is survived by his son: Mark married to Christa, and daughter, Michelle Beiler married to Jeffrey Lyn Beiler; his grandchildren: Melanie (Beiler) Davis, married to Colin Davis, Justin Beiler, Stephanie Beiler (engaged to Zachary Zook), Ashley Johnson, Nathaniel Johnson, and Abigail Johnson.

Family and friends will be received from 5-7 PM on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at The Worship Center, 2384 New Holland Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601. Please enter at the west entrance. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at The Worship Center. Family and friends will be received from 10 AM until the time of service. A private burial for family will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Jim's memory to Upward Call Counseling Services at 2384 New Holland Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601.