James "JJ" C. Johnson

James C. Johnson “JJ”, 83, of Salem, Ohio, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on May 6, 2026. Born on November 5, 1942, James was the third of five children shared by Millie and Jim Johnson. From a young age JJ was known for his comical and ornery nature, always bringing a smile to those around him. He was a friendly and familiar face at Valley View Market, owned and operated by his family until its closure in 2008. 

It was while working at the family business that he, by chance, met the woman who would later become his wife, Kathleen “Kathy” Messenger. Kathy and JJ were married in a small ceremony on September 5, 1962, and built a life together in Salem, Ohio. They went on to have four children, Jim, Tammy, and Kimberly; their second born, Cheryl passed shortly after birth.

He attended Greenford High School while holding a job as a paperboy.  Following high school, he worked as a welder at Transco Railway, a company to which he devoted many years of his life. 

He was a loyal member of Salem Eagles Club, VFW, Salem Club and the Italian-American Club. It was in these organizations that he spent much of his time turning strangers into friends and friends into family. He was a member of both a corn-hole and a bocce league at the Italian American Club, playing bocce alongside his daughters and granddaughters on a team named “JJ’s Angels” for many years. 

JJ and his wife, Kathy, spent many of the early years of their marriage traveling to bowling tournaments across the state. He was proud to have bowled a perfect 300 game at Hunt Club Lanes in Salem. He was also an avid golfer, and on a nice day could often be found on a local course, where he once hit a hole in one. 

In the summers, you could catch him outside, drinking a Budweiser, sitting by a bonfire, tending to his garden, or throwing a tennis ball for his dogs. JJ enjoyed being surrounded by his family. He often stated, “I’m just happy to be here”. He loved all animals and all animals loved him, even the opossum he once mistook for the family cat.

JJ is preceeded in death by his parents, his wife of 51 years Kathleen Johnson, and his daughter Cheryl Johnson. 

He leaves behind his three sisters, Patty (Pat) Shoemaker of Salem, Janie (Richard) Huber of Washingtonville, Cathy Tullis of Salem; his brother, Donnie (Lisa) Johnson of Salem; three children, Jim Johnson of North Carolina, Tammy (Bret) Schrode of Washingtonville, and Kim (Mark Karol) of Salem; eight grandchildren, Jimmy (Chelsea) Johnson, Ashley (Jason) Hunter, Alec Johnson, Britney Price, Lauren (Craig) Martin, Sierra (Tyler Brooks) Cannon, Darrian Cannon, and Jocelynn Cannon; thirteen great-grandchildren, Aiden Hunter, Camden Price, Madden Hunter, Paisley Price, Mia Hunter, Tucker Brooks, Brynn Martin, Stella Hunter, Gianna Brooks, Cash Martin, Braxton Jamison, Charlotte Brooks, and Leilani Jamison; and many, many friends. To know JJ was to love him.

A celebration of life gathering will be held from 2-6 p.m., on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Salem Italian American Club, 250 Penn Ave., Salem. 

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