James Hugh Johnson

James Hugh Johnson, age 73, of Blue Ridge, GA passed away July 20, 2015 at his residence. Mr. Johnson was born October 23, 1941 in Ducktown, TN to the late Flora Sue Spriggs Johnson and Hoke Thomas Jones. Mr. Johnson grew up in Blue Ridge, attended the First Baptist Church with his mother, and remembered the youth activities at church with joy. He loved God, and wrote that one of his greatest joys was prayer and a hot cup of coffee in the early mornings. When describing his beliefs to his daughter, he wrote that God is love, and is always with us.



Mr. Johnson admired the beauty in everyday moments, from the sky just before sunrise to the red rosebush that bloomed outside his kitchen window. He was a huge fan of baseball, especially the Atlanta Braves. Throughout his life, he found pleasure in doing random acts of kindness for others, usually so quietly that no one was the wiser. He lived life as fully as possible, and loved to hear the stories of others who did the same.


Starting in high school, Mr. Johnson played the trumpet and the baritone in the band, and the blues were his favorite music. He was a member of Reinhardt University's Class of 1961. As a young man, he had planned to be a doctor, but was so interested in a financial class that he decided to become a banker. Over the course of his life, he worked with several banks and small businesses, and was motivated by the challenges of each new endeavor. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Vanessa Johnson-Bastain and Robert Bastain, and his two half-sisters, Jerrie Merritt and Sondra Koenig.

Graveside services were conducted on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 10:00 am, at Zion Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Turtletown, TN. Mr. Johnson's son-in-law, Robert, spoke in his memory.

Arrangements entrusted to the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhome.com.