Jimmie Wayne Johnson

Jimmie W. Johnson, 73 a longtime Santa Rosa businessman died Thursday, April 01, 2004 at Laurel Hills Care Center in Tucumcari, NM following an illness. Jimmie was born June 28, 1930 in Las Vegas, NM, the son of Rudolph and Sophie Irwin Johnson. He was reared and attended school at Vaughn, NM where he graduated in 1949. Following graduation Jimmie ranched at Palma, NM; he sold the ranch and moved to Santa Rosa where he owned and operated several businesses including two service stations, an auto body shop, a second hand store and a Feed Store. Jimmie and his father operated the Ambulance Service in Santa Rosa for eight years. Jimmie also worked many years for the Julian Mortuary and later became co-owner of the Johnson- Chavez Funeral Home in Santa Rosa. Jimmie loved caring for and trading livestock, he spent many days at the sale barns. Jimmie also worked for the local Radio station where he hosted a one hour Spanish program with his on the air name “Santiago Juanhijo”. Jimmie learned the Spanish language at an early age and spoke it fluently. In his later years Jimmie spent many hours at his ranch in Cuervo, NM and at his farm in Puerto de Luna. Jimmie was an active member of the Santa Rosa Community, he served several years on the Santa Rosa Board of Education; the Santa Rosa City Council, and as a deputy for the Guadalupe County Sheriff Department. Jimmie was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and member of the Spanish Choir for many years. Jimmie was a loving father, son, grandfather, uncle, and friend. Survivors include two sons Melvin Johnson and wife Esther of Corona, NM; Bill E. Johnson and wife Joel of Santa Rosa, NM; four daughters Netta Ortiz of Ruidoso, NM; Paula Lopez and husband Victor of Puerto De Luna, NM; Jennifer Ferdinand of Lubbock, TX and Theresa Sisneros and husband Randy of Albuquerque, NM. Also surviving is his mother Sophie Johnson of Raton, NM a sister Charlotte Hennigan of Raton, NM; a brother Jack Johnson of Capitan, NM along with 18 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many good friends. Jimmie was preceded in death by his father Rudolph Johnson and a sister Peggy Blair. Rosary services will be held at 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 2, 2004 from St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa. Funeral Mass will be celebrated from the church at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 3, 2004 with Father Nick Nichols officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Santa Rosa, NM. Pallbearers will include Netta Ortiz, Paula Lopez, Jennifer Ferdinand, Theresa Sisneros, Melvin Johnson, Bill E. Johnson, and Juan A. Chavez. Honorary bearers will include Randy Sisneros, Victor Lopez, Louella Gutierrez, Victor Flores, Willie Romero, Justin Lopez, and J.J. Floyd. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 South Third Street; Santa Rosa, New Mexico. (505) 472-3369. www.chavezfuneralhome.com Eulogy for Jimmie W. Johnson by Juan Chavez Friday, April 02, 2004 Some People find their fame on the Broadway Stage. Others find theirs through art or poetry. Still others find their fame by flying to the moon. Jimmie Wayne Johnson, my friend, knew exactly where to find his fame. In the hearts of those who loved him. Each of us knew Jimmie in a different capacity, and each of us saw a different side of him. That is the glory of the human being. We are capable of being so much too so many. His son’s, Melvin and his wife Esther; Billy and his wife Joel; daughter’s Netta Johnson Ortiz; Paula Johnson Lopez and husband Victor, Jennifer Johnson Ferdinand; Theresa Sisneros and husband Randy knew him as father; Rudolph and Sophie knew him as their son; Jack, Peggy, and Charlotte, knew him as their brother, 30 of his family members knew him as grandfather and great-grandfather; the rest of us knew him as a friend, primo or cousin-brother. Jimmie was a man who was admired by many, and it seems that everyone that had the privilege to meet him felt close to him immediately. I can’t think of one person who disliked Jimmy. He was personable, witty, and had a tremendous sense of humor. If he ran out of things to say to you in English, he would continue in Spanish. I got my first job from Jimmie at the age of 14; I always felt it was a privilege to work with him. He was a man who taught me not to take things, life in particular, for granted. He showed me through his actions to live each day to its fullest. He taught me that service to family, community, and God are the most important things a man can do. Whether it was the generosity he displayed towards his friends, employees, and family, or whether it was the contributions he gave to his community including several years on the Santa Rosa Board of Education, as a member of the City Council, or as a deputy for the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Department. Jimmie’s generosity, friendship and good humor were the base of his existence. Nelson Henderson said it best when he said “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” There was little sitting for Jimmy. During his life of 73 years, Jimmie ranched and farmed, owned and operated several businesses in Santa Rosa including service stations, an auto body shop, a second hand store, and a feed store. Jimmie and his father Rudolph operated the Santa Rosa Ambulance Service for 8 years. Jimmie worked for Walter Julian at Julian Mortuary for many years and later Jimmie and I became partners of the funeral home. Jimmie had a love for animals; he was always going to the sale barn “La Venta” at Las Vegas, Portales, Roswell or Clovis. He always came home with a livestock trailer that resembled Noah’s Ark; you never knew what animal he would buy. On one particular trip, I remember he purchased a small horse, not a pony, not a big horse. The horse was put in the corral behind the feed store. The next morning the horse was gone and there were two steers in the corral, someone had traded him the horse for the two steers, we took the steers to Vaughn to see a man who was looking to buy a steer for beef. When we left Vaughn, the steers were gone, Jimmie had some cash in his pocket and the biggest hog I have ever seen was now in the trailer. We drove back to Santa Rosa, fed the hog in the trailer that night, and drove back to the sale barn with the hog the next day. I don’t know if he made any money on this deal, but he sure enjoyed making the trades with his friends. Jimmie loved the Spanish language and his superior knowledge of the language landed him a job with the local radio station. With his humor and quick wit, Jimmie or “Santiago JuanHijo” made the “Spanish Program” something the residents of Guadalupe County looked forward to each day. Of course some of what he said on the radio then would be censured today. Jimmie’s first priority has always been his family. He wanted what was best for them. Jimmie taught all of us that we ARE our brother’s keeper. No matter what color of skin, no matter what religion, or social status, he treated everyone as an equal. He taught us that if you saw a need, you didn’t wait for the other person to step up; you stepped up to the plate to see what you could do to help. He taught us the value of friendship, with the friendship he had with countless other people. I don’t know if Jimmie had any regrets at the end of his life, I know he would have enjoyed better health in these later years to allow him to get out and visit his family and friends; yet Jimmie fought this long illness with dignity, never losing his sense of humor. In my mind Jimmie has a lot to be proud of. He has produced great kids, who in turn have produced great kids. While his physical being has left us, his spirit is still here. The values he taught will continue to exist in his children, who will in turn pass on these values to their children. Jimmie, I know, would ask that you each choose to live your life well, and to be true to your values. As we leave today, let us remember that the highest tribute we could pay Jimmie is to always remain united as a family, that we each learn from our failures, and that we celebrate our successes, and that we live in health and happiness. We know that in his death, Jimmie has joined his father Rudolph, and his sister Peggy in heaven, He did not walk into eternity alone.