James E. Johnson, Sr.

James E. Johnson, Sr., 80, of Massillon, died Tuesday morning at his home. He was born on November 9, 1930 in Massillon and was the son of the late Oscar Leonard and Margaret Olga (Giltz) Johnson. He was a lifelong Massillon resident. Jim graduated from Washington High School in 1948 and went on to Case Western University in Cleveland and graduated from Kent State University where he played on the tennis team. He served his country as a sergeant in the U.S Army during the Korean Conflict. Jim began his career working at the former Griscom-Russell, he then worked at B.F. Goodrich where he was the Director of International Tire Sales. Following his retirement at B.F. Goodrich, Jim worked for Snyder Manufacturing where he was the National Marketing Sales Manager. Through his work, Jim travelled the world extensively. He enjoyed telling stories of his travels to various groups that he spoke before. He also served on the city’s planning commission and worked for the Massillon city schools. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church. Other memberships included, the Massillon Lions Club, the Clinton Lodge #47 F. & A.M, the Massillon Shrine, where he was past president and the Al Koran Shrine in Cleveland. An avid Massillon Tiger fan, Jim was a season ticket holder since 1948. He was a member of the Touchdown Club, The Orangeman and the Booster Club. On August 10, 1952, Jim married his high school sweetheart, the former Carol Jean Voshall. She survives along with his children, James E. Johnson, Jr. of Green, Ohio, Jeffrey P. (Chris) Johnson of Chesterland, Ohio and Cynthia K. (Adam) Johnson-Meyerson of Bath, Ohio, his grandchildren, James III, Kelsey, Kyle, Benny, Courtney, Emily and Zack. Also surviving are his sister, Marilyn Koontz of Massillon and his brother-in-law, Ed Voshall of Massillon. A service to celebrate the life of Jim Johnson will take place at the Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home on Friday at 1:00 P.M. with Rev. Melvin Lindberg officiating. Entombment will follow at the mausoleum at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Thursday (TONIGHT) from 6-8 P.M. and on Friday from 12-1:00 P.M. at the funeral home. There will be a Masonic service tonight at 5:00 P.M. and a Lions service tonight at 5:30 P.M. The family suggests memorials be made in the name of James E. Johnson to either the Tiger Booster Club, P.O. Box 19, Massillon, OH 44648 or Wesley United Methodist Church, 1600 West Main Street, Massillon, OH 44647. Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch – A Golden Rule Funeral Home 30-833-4839