James L. Johnson

With loving family by his side, James Lester Johnson (Smiley), 83 of Sanford, beloved father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House on August 31. James was born on April 23, 1935 in Elliot, MS. He was the son of Herman and Ida (Parsons) Johnson. James attended high school in Sheffield, AL and served our country as a member of the United States Marine Corps. He was stationed on the USS Salem out of Charleston, MA.Once his military service was completed, he worked at the Togus VA Hospital Center in Augusta where he met his wife, Carol Faye Sturgeon of Scarborough. They married in February 1964. James was later employed by Michaud Trailways Co. as a driver for many years. He traveled all over the East Coast on chartered trips and made regular trips to Boston, MA.In 1980 he coached the Sanford Little League girls 13-15-year-old softball team, which his daughter Jodie played on, and led them to the World Series Softball tournament in Kalamazoo, MI. This was a very proud moment for him in his coaching career. He spent many years officiating basketball, softball and football in York County for youth and high school teams. He also umpired for many years in the Sanford Men's Softball League. Helping others was always very important to James. He was very active in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was the Past Noble Grand in Portland. He was a member and three-time Past Master of the Springvale Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of the Pioneer Club where he served as President. He became a Shriner in 1992 and was a past President of the York County Shrine Club. He enjoyed being a renegade and drove his yellow jeep all over the state of Maine along with parts of Canada in various parades. He was a member of the Sanford Elks Lodge #1470 and was the Exalted Ruler from 1998-1999. He was a life member of the American Legion and AmVets Post 3 of Sanford. James was predeceased by his parents, his wife Carol of Sanford who also passed away on August 31, 2006, and brothers Billy Jack Johnson, Bobby Glen Johnson and his sisters Sybil Holly, Kathryn Garrison and Alice Parker, all from Alabama. He is survived by his sister, Patricia Ann Gist, and her husband Larry Gist from Tuscumbia, AL, two sisters-in-law Chris Johnson and Penny Johnson, both from Alabama, his devoted children Larry Johnson of Namibia in southern Africa, Shawn Johnson and wife Anna of Sanford, Patricia Brown and husband David of Sanford and Jodie Johnson of Waldwick, NJ along with two children from a previous marriage, Theresa Diane and her husband Chris Nintzel of Seal Rock, OR and James Johnson, Jr. and wife Rachel of Tacoma, WA. He was loved immensely by his 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren and cherished the time he spent with them. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.James spent several years later in his life with his companion, Barbara Moore of Wells, ME. They enjoyed traveling and attending church at Ogunquit Baptist Church, where he served as an usher. James will forever be remembered by family and friends for his generosity. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, September 5th from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8PM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. A funeral service will take place on Thursday at 10AM at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow at Oakdale Cemetery.A celebration lunch will be held immediately following the services at the Sanford Elks Lodge.In lieu of flowers, a donation to Shriner Children's Hospital Springfield, MA would be appreciated.Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com