James Johnson Obituary, Death – James Leslie Johnson, May 29, 1941 – March 30, 2020, A music lover who couldn’t sing a note or play an instrument, Jim would say, “someone has to be the audience.” Joyful and spontaneous, Jim was a lover of books, travel, animals, and being with family and friends. He had a great sense of humor, and loved hosting big gatherings and cozy dinners.
Born and raised in Napa, Jim attended Napa High and Napa Jr. College where he made lifelong friends. He participated in track and cross country, archery, Sea Scouts, and DeMolay. After junior college he attended San Jose State, getting his M.S. degree in Psychology along with his MFT and Educational Psychologist certification.
He worked in private practice which included helping mothers using hypnosis for labor and delivery, and enjoyed his many years as an Educational Psychologist in the South Bay and in Sonoma County.
Always curious, Jim loved to read and had a vast collection of the works of T.E. Lawrence, middle eastern and European history, and Winston Churchill. Jim also relished his travel adventures which brought repeat visits throughout Europe, the British Isles, Greece, Morocco, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii.
Jim was happiest driving his 1972 240Z in ESCA and ZONC events, and welcomed the advice of his car club friends. He also was a volunteer member of the Patient Advisory Committee at Kaiser for several years, helping patients and health care providers to improve systems and communication.
Always in helping mode, he joined with his family, friends and neighbors in many joint home remodeling projects. He built his home in the Santa Cruz Mountains surrounded by five acres of redwoods where he raised his son as a single parent. Then, 24 years ago he met Carole Robison, and moved to Sonoma County where they created an idyllic partnership, each enhancing the other’s attributes, loving and learning from each other.
