James "Jim" Johnston

James (Jim) Johnston was born on September 19, 1940, to Edwin and Mae Johnston in Salem, Oregon. James passed away on July 26, 2021, in Salem, Oregon at the age of 80 years old.

Jim graduated from North Salem High School in 1958. He attended Oregon State and graduated from Western Oregon University and University of Oklahoma with a Meteorology degree and a master’s degree in counseling from Ball State University.

Jim served in the USAF for 20 years as a meteorologist and retired as a Major. He enjoyed the weather with a passion – daily weather readings, weather channel all the time, and storm chasing before it was “a thing” that everyone else did.

After retiring from the Air Force, he returned to his first love, teaching. He spent the majority of his second career as a math teacher at Dallas High School. Jim also helped coach wrestling and powder puff football. As a youngster Jim struggled with math and because of that he developed a special gift and a way to explain to struggling students how to complete equations.

In retirement Jim loved doing woodworking projects and gardening.

Jim married Almira (Myra) Viola Beckett on June 9, 1962. Jim is survived by his wife, his son Scott Johnston and daughter Denise Nielsen. Jim and Myra have 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren (with one more due in October)

Jim was always happy and a joy to be around. He had a way to make others smile with his bright and fun personality.