James Larry Johnson, Jr,

James Larry Johnson, Jr., 48, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away in the comfort and compassionate care of hospice on August 19, 2023. James was born on September 8, 1974 in Tifton, Georgia, and lived most of his life in several cities throughout Florida. He was an avid craftsman, both working and making a life-long hobby out of carpentry and construction, where he also refined his ability to recover from the most unique accidents and injuries. His other hobbies included playing paintball, wherein he was captain of a woodsball team for a time, and met some of his best friends, collecting watches and DVDs, and other arts and craft projects which helped him maintain his dexterity.

He was a member of the Sons of the American Legion, Post 283 and Faith Baptist Church on Dunn Avenue in Jacksonville. He will be remembered for donating his time to charitable construction projects, his compassion and understanding for people who were struggling, his boisterous laugh- despite his inability to tell a good joke- and the way he loved to host dinners and cook outs for as many friends, family, and strangers as he could gather.

James is preceded in death by his mother, Rebecca Rutland Viets, and grandparents, James and Doris Rutland and Theresa Curran Viets. He is survived by his wife of 10 years, Rebecca Anne Johnson, mother-in-law, Annette Cunningham, and daughter Kayla Johnson, as well as his daughters, Anna McVey (Mark) and Savannah Johnson, sons, James Paul Johnson and Aiden Johnson, three grandchildren, his father, Paul Viets, brother, Edward Johnson (Brenda), sister, Theresa Viets, nephew, Zachary Johnson (Juliea), nieces, Zoe Johnson and Delaney Rowe, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at American Legion Post 283, 9459 Fort Caroline Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225, from 1:00pm until 4:00pm, where the family will host friends and family and celebrate the life of James Larry Johnson, Jr.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family asks that a donation be made in memory of James to Operation Barnabas in support of the Military Veterans who defended our freedoms, and First Responders, who most likely saved his accident-prone life a time or two.

https://www.operationbarnabas.com/