Obituary of John A. Johnson

John A. Johnson, 84, of Hultquist Place, passed away peacefully at 6:40 pm Friday, January 27, 2017, in the Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation Center with his family by his side. A lifelong area resident, he was born November 1, 1932 in Jamestown, NY, the son of the late C. Harold and Esther Westman Johnson. He was a graduate of Jamestown High School and enjoyed attending the class reunion lunches over the past several years. John was a very patriotic man and served in the New York Army National Guard for 28 years. He made many lifelong friends during these years and was well respected by the other guardsmen who referred to him as "John A". He was also very proud of his Swedish heritage, belonging to several Swedish organizations including the Thule Lodge # 127 VASA Order of America, of which he was a past Chairman and the Ingjald Lodge # 65 Independent Order of the Vikings. He always enjoyed attending the Scandinavian Folk Festival and eating Swedish food at holiday time. He was also a member of the Chautauqua County Club Associates and the War Vets Recreation Club and the Herman Kent Post 777 American Legion, Celoron. He loved taking day trips and attending meetings with the Jamestown Senior Citizens Center and was active in the Lakewood YMCA cardiac rehab group for several years. Before his retirement years he was a self employed contractor as owner of John A. Johnson Construction. He began his career as a master carpenter doing his apprenticeship with the Swedish carpenters in Jamestown. For over 50 years he perfected his trade building homes and remolding hundreds of kitchens and bathrooms in the Jamestown area. He was well respected among his peers and was known as the best finish carpenter in the area. Over the years he taught many younger men the "tricks of the trade" so they too could become master craftsmen. Surviving are his children, Karan L. (Jeffrey) Murray, John A. "Chip" (Mary Beth) Johnson, Jr., Daniel E. (Lorie) Johnson all of Jamestown, his seven grandchildren, whom he loved dearly, Kimberly (Seth) Holladay of Leesburg, VA, Krista (Eric) Freund of Bethel Park, PA, Amy (Richie) Morris of Bradenton, FL, Katie (Billy ) Miley of Jamestown, Kelsey (Andrew Tobias) Johnson of Buffalo, NY, Jordan Johnson, Rachel Johnson both of Jamestown, his seven loving great grandchildren, Brianna, Austin and Landen Holladay, Max and Kenzie Miley, Rylie Freund, Easton Tobias and his sister Sally (James) Brooks of Jamestown. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his wife the former K. Barbara Linder Johnson whom he married March 19, 1955 and who passed away on January 4, 1999 and a sister Cynthia Klomp. The funeral will be held at 11:00 am Friday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Daniel S. Rumfelt, chaplain of the Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation Center will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 5-8 pm Thursday in the Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Lutheran Social Service Foundation, 715 Falconer St. Jamestown, NY 14701 or to the Chautauqua Blind Association, 510 W. Fifth St. Jamestown, NY 14701.