James Merle Johnson

October 2, 1923 - October 7, 2000

James Merle Johnson, son of Walter Lester Johnson and Laura Belle McKinley.

James Merl Johnson, 78, died Saturday, Oct. 7, 2000, in an Abilene hospital.

Graveside services are 2 P.M. Monday at Kendrick Cemetery in Denton Valley, with the Revs. Mike Woodard and Chris Raley officiating, directed by Fry-Bartlett Funeral Home of Tuscola.

Mr. Johnson was born in Oplin and graduated from Lawn High School in 1941. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the U.S. Army Air Force. He married Juanita Smith White August 9, 1975 in Abilene.

He owned and operated Key City Steel in Abilene for 17 years, then was a construction superintendent for Fish Engineering and Construction for 25 years, retiring in 1984 when he returned to Abilene. He worked in Florida, Arkansas, Wyoming, Alabama and Colorado. He was a 32nd degree Mason and was a member of University Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Johnson, Sr. and Laura McKinley Johnson; a brother, Lester Johnson; and a sister-in-Law, Jo Johnson.

Survivors include: His wife, Nita Johnson of Abilene; two daughters, Linda Walraven of Clyde and Vicki White of Goliad; two sons, Ronald White of Austin and Randy White of Ovalo; one sister Charlyn Ogle of Abilene; 4 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 2-4 P.M. Today at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Southwest Park Baptist Church Building Fund, 2901 S. 20th, Abilene, TX 79605.