James “Jim” Donald Johnson, age 86 of Winchester, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at Vanderbilt-Harton Hospital in Tullahoma. He was born in Enterprise, Alabama on October 8, 1937, to the late James Edward and Mildred Jane (Metcalf) Johnson. He graduated from Auburn University in June 1959, with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and a commission as an Air Force Second Lieutenant. Jim married the love of his life, Frances Davidson, on June 20, 1959, and shortly thereafter entered the United States Air Force. He served in the Air Force for twenty-six years, mainly in the specialty of Research, Development, and Testing. In the latter portion of Jim’s career, he served as head of Turbine Engine Testing at Arnold Engineering Development Center. In 1986, he retired from the Air Force as a full Colonel with Awards and Decorations including the National Defense Service Ribbon, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and one of the U.S. military’s most prestigious awards, the Legion of Merit. After Air Force retirement, Jim assumed a position with an AEDC contractor as head of the Space Branch, responsible for research and testing including space craft and space sensors. He served with various AEDC contractors over the years and retired as Director of Space and Missile Systems Department for Sverdrup Technology. From an early age, Jim enjoyed working with wood and over the years became a master craftsman. He enjoyed sailing and national and international travel, visiting over forty countries, with Fran. He also enjoyed writing and published “A Focus on Easter,” a book based on the last days of Jesus’ ministry, the crucifixion, and resurrection, and worked on an extensive collection of family stories, yarns, and interesting incidences. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior on July 4, 1950. In the 1970s, he was ordained as a deacon at Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia, and also served at First Baptist Church in Winchester and First Baptist Church in Tullahoma. In Winchester, Jim wrote, taught, and led a personal evangelism program. Generously, he stayed on course until his last days to ensure his growing family was safe, healthy, and well provided for. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jerry Johnson. Jim is survived by his loving wife of sixty-four years, Frances Johnson; daughters, Angie Johnson, and Cheryl Leigh (Greg) Stringfield; sisters, Martha Overall, and Margaret Mann; grandsons, Carter (Kara) Stringfield, and Davis (Brooke) Stringfield; great-grandchildren, James Everett Stringfield, and Anna Claire Stringfield; three nieces; and one nephew. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Watson Funeral Home in Winchester. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at First Baptist Church in Tullahoma. Interment will follow at Watson Memorial Park with military honors bestowed. Watson Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 405 Sharp Springs Road, Winchester, TN 37398, (931)-967-2345
