James Oliver Johnson, Sr.

October 20, 1941 – January 15, 2019

James Oliver Johnson Jr. — “Jimmy” — entered into eternal rest on January 15, 2019.

Jimmy was born in Harnett County on October 20, 1941, to Linwood and Mary Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother David and his wife Bette, and his sister Martha Hudson and her husband Danny Sr.

The family relocated to the Thelma, North Carolina, area.

Seeing the need for safety improvements in the area, he and his brother-in-law, Danny Hudson Sr., secured land and equipment to start the Thelma Volunteer Fire Department, now a part of the Davie Fire Department. He was a skilled electrician and retired as Vice President of McCarter Electric in Laurinburg in 2008.

Jimmy, known as “Papa” to his grandchildren, loved fishing and Nascar, and was a Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Kevin Harvick fan. He could always be counted on to be the first one there for family.

Left to cherish his memories are his son Buck Johnson (Stephanie), daughter Tracy Shelburne (James), brother Harry Johnson (Betty Lou), grandchildren Jessica Woodruff (Chris), Chris Norton, Jayme Shelburne (Ashley), and Casey Johnson, five great-grandchildren, and nine nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will be held 2:00 P.M. Friday in the chapel of Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service. Burial will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 – 1:30 P.M. prior to the service.

Online condolences may be sent to www.hockadayfs.com.