James Donald Johnson (Jim)

James Donald Johnson (Jim), former Ronan resident, passed away July 12 in Post Falls, Idaho.  He was born April 19, 1933, to Nels and Nina Johnson.  He lived with his daughter, Nina Cahill and grandson, Brady Cahill, the past three years. Jim was a self-taught carpenter and cabinet maker.  He had many trades throughout his life such as a logger in Western Montana, house construction in Spokane, Washington and a carpentry instructor at Kicking Horse Job Corps for nine years in Lake County and at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo for 22 years.

Jim taught many students and he and his students built many of the buildings at SKC.  He was most proud of the library that he and his students helped build.  Jim was a talented craftsman and his home was filled with many pieces of furniture that he crafted.  Hunting with his father, Nels Johnson, brother, Harold and brother in law, Harold Johns in Broadus, Montana were definitely highlights in his life.  His family spent those times with him.  He had a 10-month job in Kodiak, Alaska that was heaven for him.  So much seafood and so little time!!

He loved fishing, cooking and always had fish or turkeys in his smoker.  He was called on many times to barbecue for different groups, his specialty being barbecued pork.  His own devised spit barbecued many pigs.

He is preceded in death by his second wife, Joyce and third wife, Lourine, Nels and Nina Johnson, parents, and brother, Harold.  He is survived by his daughter, Nina Cahill and children, Kaitlyn and Brady; daughter, Karla Wigten and children; son, Jay Johnson and boys, and sister, Elinor (Harold) and family.

A small memorial get-together is planned at a later date.