James White Johnson

James White Johnson, (Jim), age 87, died peacefully October 7, 2017. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bob Johnson of Houston, TX, his sister Betsy Johnson Henry of Knoxville, his daughter Peggie Tyler Brooks and grandson John Thomas Brooks of Longmont, CO. Jim is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 68 years, Anne Curtis Johnson, children: Lucy Johnson Neiman and husband Paul of Rye, NH, James White Johnson, Jr. and wife Tammy of Knoxville, Andrew Price Johnson and wife Jennie of Knoxville. Grandchildren: Haley Neiman, Marissa Neiman, Ali Brooks, Jake Johnson, Mabry Johnson, Cole Johnson, Drew Johnson, Will Johnson. Jim grew up in Knoxville, the son of William McNutt Johnson and Grace Bonnell Johnson, on the historic McNutt farm in East Knoxville. Jim was proud of his heritage as a fifth-generation direct descendant of General James White, the founder of Knoxville. He graduated from Young High School and the University of Tennessee in 1953, after serving in the United States Navy on the USS Alsea during the Korean War. Jim was a prolific student with an undying thirst for knowledge. Jim was an academic at heart, was an exceptional student, had many academic achievements, and was proud to have been selected to several national honors societies, particularly Pi Tau Sigma. Jim began his career as a mechanical engineer in Cleveland, OH, where his first two children were born. Jim thankfully moved his family back to Knoxville to begin a long and distinguished career at the Oak Ridge National Lab, where he served as a design engineer specializing in nuclear physics. Jim’s expertise in high vacuum technology, facilitated his involvement in the founding of several start-up companies, most notably ORTEC, which was the first commercial, and the most successful, spin-off from ORNL. Jim was especially proud that he was able to benefit from the same technologies he helped design when he underwent PROTON therapy for treatment of his cancer. Jim grew up at Saint John’s Episcopal Church and later was a founding member of The Church of Ascension of Knoxville. Jim was an avid tennis player, who so enjoyed all his time on the court with his tennis “buddies.” Jim was a longtime member of Cherokee Country Club and a founding member of The Peninsula Club. Jim was an enthusiastic supporter of the University of Tennessee men’s football and basketball teams. Jim had an undying thirst for knowledge, he enjoyed reading, classical music, and fixing anything in need of repair. Most of all, Jim loved watching movies with Anne, his best friend, and the love of his life. Jim lived a good life and was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. He was a man of great honor with the utmost integrity. He always tried his best to do the right thing, and to treat others the way he would want to be treated. What a wonderful example, and for this we are very proud. After a private inurnment, there will be a celebration of life on Friday, October 13, at 3:00 pm at the Church of the Ascension, with The Rev. Christopher W. Hogin officiating. A reception and receiving of friends will be held in the Parish Hall immediately following. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Parkwest Medical Center, and his many helpers over the last two years, for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Ascension, 800 S. Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919, or to the charity of your choice.

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James White Johnson

October 7, 2017