James Douglas Johnston

James “Jim” Douglas Johnston passed into heaven on Oct. 17, 2013 at Plainview Senior Living in Auburn, Mich. He was born in Chicago on Jan. 24, 1924 to Letitia Douglas Johnston and Bill Johnston.

At the age of two his family moved from Chicago to Michigan to become farmers. Jim and his family lived on a farm near Breckenridge where Jim started farming the family farm at age 17. He graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1942. Jim married Shirley Ann Alward, also from near Breckenridge, on Jan. 6 1945 at Emerson Presbyterian Church.

Jim and Shirley raised three children while building their farm business. Jim was also devoted and proud of his mother who guided him in his faith of God and supported his efforts as a farmer and businessman. He also owned and ran two other businesses, Mid-State Dryer Sales and State-wide Distributing and Johnston Insurance Agency in Alma, Mich., all while putting three children through college and supporting Shirley’s political interests.

Together they loved Big Band music and dancing. They loved having family and friends join them at the Lake George cottage. Jim enjoyed giving pontoon rides around the lake. He was a devoted member of the Emerson Presbyterian Church his entire life. He was also a Mason and a member of the Elks.

After three heart attacks, Jim had to retire from farming and he and Shirley purchased a winter home in Mesa, Ariz. and after 13 years they moved to Fountain Hills where they spent six months a year from 1993 to 2011. Jim enjoyed golfing and biking as a younger retiree and entertaining friends and family during the winter months in Arizona. Shirley and Jim enjoyed traveling for many years in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean Islands, Canary Islands and Mexico.

Jim lost Shirley, the love of his life, in 2010, and his grandson, Devin Reed Lau, in 2001. He is survived by his children, Dawn Lau and husband, Richard, of Fountain Hills, Douglas Lau and wife Kristin and great-grandsons, Johnston and Benson of Phoenix, Douglas Johnston of San Francisco, Calif., and Rhonda Lytle and husband, Ronald of Midland, Mich.; grandson, Ryan Lytle and wife Karen; and great-grandson, Ryder of Westminster, Colo., and granddaughter, Regan Streeter and husband, David, and great-grandson, Henry of Midland, Minn.

Jim is also survived by sisters, Margaret Smith and Letitia Skeen (John); brother, Ted Johnston (Norma) and many additional close sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law and nieces and nephews.

The family requests memorial gifts to Emerson Presbyterian Church in lieu of flowers. Jim’s memorial service takes place at Emerson Presbyterian Church, visitation 10 a.m., service at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, Oct. 23. Graveside service follows luncheon.