James "Jimmy" Lamar Johnson passed away May 5, 2007 as a result of a tragic house fire at his home in Unadilla, Georgia. Mr. Johnson was born in Albany, Georgia, was a life-long resident of central Georgia. He attended Joseph Clisby Elementary School and Lanier High School for Boys in Macon, graduating from Young Harris Academy in Young Harris, Georgia in 1958. He attended Mercer University in Macon. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Lamar and Sara Bussey Johnson of Macon, his maternal grandparents Hezekiah Wesley and Lettie Clements Bussey of Sycamore, Georgia, and his uncle George Seaborn Johnson of Ashburn, Georgia.
He is survived by his daughter Jennifer Johnson Burch (Leigh Anson Burch III) and grandchildren Leigh Anson Burch IV, Thomas Joseph Burch and Lila Elizabeth-Ann Burch of Knoxville, Tennessee. Survivors also include his sister Jan Johnson Hayes of Atlanta, Georgia; brother Michael Bussey Johnson (Theresa) of Roan Mountain, Tennessee; aunts and uncles Adalyn Johnson Wilson (Dr. Frank Adams Wilson, III) of Leslie, Georgia; Corrie Johnson Lang (Rev. Young Harvard Lang) of Indianapolis, Indiana and Sara Jackson Johnson of Ashburn, Georgia. An avid horseman for many years he also leaves behind his quarter horse, “Tail” and her faithful companion mule “Loretta”.
Jimmy was a licensed pilot from the age of 16 and continued to fly commercially until his death. Most recently he has been crop dusting in the Unadilla area. Over the years he flew almost anything with wings in the general aviation arena from single engine crop dusters to multi engine World War II bombers on government fire ant, gypsy moth and other insect eradication programs all over this country and in the Caribbean.
In many ways, Jimmy was a man born after his time and would have been more comfortable living during the age of steam locomotives, stage coaches and mule teams, a 19th Century man living life in the 20th and 21st centuries. He was born too late and died too soon.
His remains will be cremated and a memorial service held at 2:00 PM, Friday, May 11, 2007 at Rose Hill Cemetery, Ashburn, Georgia, the Reverend J. D. Scarborough officiating. The family will receive friends at the cemetery following the service. Jimmy's remains will be scattered by airplane over the former Bussey farm outside of Sycamore, a place much beloved from his youth.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Kelly Powers Bodrey Cancer Fund, c/o State Bank and Trust, P. O. Box 345, Unadilla, Georgia.