James Johnson Jr.,

Born in the early morning hours on January 8, 1937, a dark skinned brown eyed baby boy. James Edgar Johnson would bear the name of his dad James Edgar Sr. James was the third son in a family of eight children. His mother was Eva Mencer Johnson.

James was raised on the family farm, located five miles below Harmony, just off Hwy 901. There he learned the value of hard work and being a good neighbor. The family took active part in the local Baptist Church, Pleasant View. The preacher ate Sunday dinner in their home. He knew that the children would eat at the second table and the best pieces of chicken would be gone, so from his parents he learned the art of being a true friend and putting the needs of others first.

James was educated in Harmony Schools. He developed a real interest in horses around the age of 16. He earned the money for his first horse, and so from that day on he became a cowboy. His broad brimmed hat and boots became his daily attire. From that first horse, he learned to ride and went on to become an expert horseman. He was well known in the SRA Rodeo Association in the late 1950's. He was one of the top riders in bull and bronco riding in five states.

He spent 2 years working on a cattle ranch in Oak Creek, Colorado. He returned to North Carolina in 1957 and was married to Hilda Sloan on December 20, 1958. They lived in a small trailer on his Dad's farm  before buying a farm of his own on the South Yadkin River. James moved his family to their own farm in 1962.

They have two children, a son James Webb Johnson born in 1960, and a daughter Jonna Yvonne Johnson born in 1965.

James carried on the values his family had taught him, and passed these values on to his children, to love God and love your neighbor.

James is survived by his wife Hilda S. Johnson, son James W. Johnson and wife Lisa, daughter Jonna J. Eades and husband Rev. Brian all of Statesville, neice in-love Edith Johnson of Mocksville, five grandchildren; Kristin Bumgarner and husband Rev. Jermy, of Taylorsville, James "Jamie" Johnson and wife Francesca of Statesville, Joseph "Joe" Johnson and wife Heather of Taylorsville, Stephen J. Eades and wife Lauren of Statesville, Stephanie L. Eades and fiancé Brian of Statesville & Union Grove, step grandchildren; Jennifer Smith, Bailey Smith, &  Tommy Adams, great grandchildren; Kelsey, Jaxon, & Joshua Bumgarner, Bernadette Johnson, & Meela Eades, step great grandchildren Haylie, & Jace Adams, Ethan McClellan, brother Ray Frank Johnson and wife Nancy of Lincolnton, sister Ellen Beckham of Statesville, and a number of nieces, nephews, and special friends.

In addition to his parents James was preceded in death by brothers; Thomas & Harold, and sisters; Pauline Stroud, Mabel Cape, & Evelyn Jarrett.

Visitation will be Thursday, October 15, 2015 from 6:30-8:30 pm at Mt. Nebo Baptist Church on Old Mountain Rd. in Hiddenite. The funeral service will be held at 4:00 pm Friday, October 16, 2015 at Calvary Baptist Church in Taylorsville. The Rev. Brian Eades, Rev. Stephen Dagenhart, and Rev. Jermy Bumgarner will be officiating. Burial will take place in the Bright Light Baptist Church Cemetery in Statesville following the service.