James Johnston

With a contagious zest for life and a fun-loving spirit, James Johnston brought such color to the world around him. He was intelligent and worked hard, but he played just as hard, too. As fathers go, Jim was second to none as he was always there for whatever his son needed. The pair shared so many common interests and in doing so, Jim taught his son not only about computers, but timeless lessons about life as well. Those who knew Jim would agree that he could weave a story like no other, and it was out of his endless heart that he selflessly gave to those around him.

As the year 1947 dawned, America was moving away from being a nation at war to being a nation of peace. Countless servicemen and women returned home to their families and in doing so, started a baby boom that lasted for many years. James T. and Bernadette (Menard) Johnston were celebrating the growth of their own family during this same year since it was on July 27th that they welcomed their son, James, into their hearts and home. Born in Kankakee, Illinois, Jim was the oldest boy in what grew to be a very large family. His father worked for the Roper Factory while his mother was a homemaker. As a young boy, Jim mastered the technique of persuading his siblings into doing his chores for him. This skill was one that remained with him throughout his life, but he always made his requests in a loving manner. Jim attended St. Joseph Grade School and Bourbonnais High School where he lettered in track as a distance runner.

Life was forever changed for Jim when his sister, Jane, introduced him to the woman with whom he would create the family he treasured. Her name was Mary Purcell and a dating relationship ensued. Their relationship blossomed into true love and after three years, Mary suggested that they get married because she knew her sweetheart was more bashful by nature. Since he never objected, they eventually did become husband and wife on April 26, 1969, at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Nothing was sweeter for the young couple than when they welcomed the birth of their son, Jim, in 1974. Now with a “Big Jim” and “Little Jim” in the house, life was always a bundle of fun since Jim was really just a big kid, too. Big Jim was always coming up with fun things to do and could make a game out of just about anything. Little Jim was always so excited when his father came to pick him up from his grandma’s house, and these are times Little Jim has never forgotten. Father and son were more like buddies and since computers were a big part of Jim’s life, it only seemed natural that he would pass everything he knew on to his son. Even when personal computers were fairly new in the early eighties, Jim knew how to program them, making computer games and programming poker, too. This love for computers was not only something the two Jims shared together, but it became Little Jim’s chosen career.

In addition to his passion for computers, Big Jim passed so many other things on to his son. He taught him about fishing and shooting, and there were countless special times they shared together in the basement workshop. Vacations were always priceless times in the Johnston home including trips to Branson, Missouri, the Ozarks, Paducah, Kentucky, and Wisconsin. These were times that were not only fun-filled, but times when treasured memories were made as well.

To support his family, Jim worked in a variety of industries. Through the years he worked as a construction laborer, truck driver, and in vending for the Ace Vending Company until he retired in 2004. No matter what his job description was, Jim brought his strong work ethic to work with him every single day.

It was easy to see by the way he lived his life that Jim was really all about family. On one occasion, he and Mary took a trip to Las Vegas to bring a car back for their son. They knew God was looking out for them on this trip when after their car broke down in the middle of nowhere in the New Mexican desert, they found a tiny town with a foreign car dealership that was only 12 miles away. Since they were driving a BMW, their luck couldn’t have been better and when this dealership actually had the part they needed, they got quickly back on their way. When Jim’s family grew to include grandchildren, he was thrilled since the sun rose and set with each and every one of them. They will forever treasure the memories they have of sleepovers with their grandfather as well as trips to the park.

With some encouragement from his father, Little Jim more recently purchased a pop-up camper. In hindsight, this was the absolute best decision since it was in this camper that the family took together when they went out to visit relatives. This trip provided them with the opportunity to have wonderful conversations and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Although spending time with his family always topped his list, Jim did have some other interests as well. He loved fishing, especially at Hides Hole on the Kankakee River. Jim was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and of course, enjoyed playing games on the computer. He was also a huge Illinois basketball fan.

With a love for life that was easy to see, James Johnston made the most of the days he was given. When he loved, he did so with all his heart and the times he cared for his ill mother-in-law were a clear reflection of the sort of man he was. Jim focused his sights on making life better for those around him in his own unique way. A true gift to many, Jim will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

James Johnston died on January 28, 2011. Jim’s family includes his wife, Mary of Kankakee IL; his mother, Bernadette of Kankakee; son, James J. “Jim” (Sallie) Johnston of Bourbonnais, IL; three sisters and three brothers-in-law; Jackie (William) Neff of Bradley, Janice (Dan) O'Connor of Kankakee, Joann (Ken) Schmidt of Houston, TX; three brothers, Joseph Johnston of Kankakee, John (June) Johnston of Kankakee, and Jeff (Debbie) Johnston of Momence, IL; and three grandchildren, Eden, McKenzie and Piper all of Bourbonnais. Jim was preceded in death by his father. A celebration of life funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Cremation rites will be accorded after the mass. A time of gathering for Jim's family and friends will be held on Monday, January 31, 2011 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Bradley Chapel of the Schreffler Funeral Home. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory, sign the online guestbook or make a memorial contribution to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.