James "Jim" Franklin Johnson

**To view the service use this link: https://youtu.be/pWcamFcoeEA

James (Jim) Franklin Johnson, age 78, of Grand Forks, ND, died January 28, 2023, at Edgewood Vista Memory Care, East Grand Forks, MN.

Jim was born June 2, 1944, in New Rockford, ND to James and Patricia (Bass) Johnson. He attended and graduated from New Rockford Central High School and then graduated from Valley City State College with a double major in Physical Education and Industrial Arts. While in college, Jim played football and baseball.

Jim married his high school sweetheart Joyce Anderson on June 27, 1965. They moved to Cooperstown, ND where he taught for one year. In 1967, they moved to Grand Forks, where Jim obtained his master’s degree in Industrial Arts at the University of North Dakota. Jim began a long teaching career at Red River High School from 1969 and retired in 1999.

Jim was an active Grand Forks councilman, serving on many committees, from 1972 to 1996.

In his spare time, Jim enjoyed building and selling oak furniture. Jim loved hunting, golfing, spending time at Red Willow, going to rummage sales, drinking coffee, telling stories and spending winters in Arizona.

Jim is survived by his wife, Joyce; sons, Jimmie (Pennie Hanson), Jay (Tracey), Jeremy (Amber Newgard); grandchildren, Emily Johnson, Jack Johnson, Brooklyn and Ashlyn Hanson; sisters, Patty (Dave) Hilbert and Peggy (Orlan) Richter and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bill and sister Jackie.

Memorial services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, February 3, at Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks, with visitation from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. prior to the service.

The family prefers memorials to Hospice of the Red River Valley.