James Benjamin Johnson
He is survived by daughter Monique Gilfillan and son Richard Johnson, son-in-law Mark Gilfillan, grandchildren Sarah, Rose, Garrett, Jack, Molly, and companion of 17 years Judy Woodbury. He was preceded in death by wife Mary Louise "Mary Lou" (Schlehr) Johnson and his sister Frances Emily "Fran" Jones. His brother Kenneth Edward Johnson passed on 20 April 2025.
Jim touched so many through his long life and accomplishments, from racing hill climbs in his Austin-Healey, service in the US Army Corps of Engineers, and teaching, his highest avocation. He taught high school in the Grand Valley and in Europe, geology at Colorado Mesa University, and did graduate work at and later directed the University of Colorado's INSTAAR Mountain Research Station. At CMU, Jim also served multiple times as the Dean of the School of Natural Sciences. As well, he spent 40 years of volunteer service on what became the National Ski Patrol at the Mesa Creek and then the Powderhorn ski areas, frequently rafted on big water western rivers, enjoyed scuba diving trips to destinations in the Caribbean, Fiji, Indonesia and more, introduced windsurfing to the Grand Valley, pioneered with the usual suspects many of the Little Park Area mountain bike trails, and so much more. His children and grandchildren were included on the grandest adventures, usually willingly. He instilled in us all a love of the outdoors, camping, skiing, fossil hunting, and adventure travel.
Any who knew Jim are welcome to attend a Celebration of Life, to be held the 28th of June 2025, 1PM-4PM, at Colorado Mesa University, South Ballroom, 1455 North 12th Street, Grand Junction CO 81501. Tie dye colors are encouraged. Memorial contributions, should you be so moved, can be made to COPMOBA, the National Ski Patrol, the CMU Outdoor Program, and the PADI AWARE Foundation.