Fun, adventurous, memorable, loving, a struggle
James Gerald Johnson, known as Jimmy, was a man full of life. He found immense joy in the outdoors, spending countless hours fishing, hunting, hiking, and swimming. Adventurous and always ready for a laugh, Jimmy had a natural curiosity and a determined spirit. He could master nearly anything he set his mind to–whether it was creating art, reeling in the perfect catch, or mechanical work.
Jimmy was good looking, and he knew it. He never left the house without making sure that there was not a hair out of place.
One Thanksgiving, the Johnson family assigned Jimmy to carve the turkey—and… it went terribly. But by the next year, he was determined to get it right. He practiced and approached his duty with meticulous care, and the result was perfect. From then on, carving the turkey was his pride and responsibility. The turkey carving event inspired a larger passion for cooking that he continued to practice. Italian food was his specialty.
At the center of Jimmy’s world was family. He had four siblings: Christy Kilburn, Tammy Robbins, Debbie Bircumshaw, and Scott Johnson. His bond with his sister Debbie was particularly strong; Jimmy was her best friend. He often would come into her room in the mornings, jump on the bed, snuggle up to her, and ask, “So what are we going to do today, Deb?” They spent every vacation and holiday together. Growing up, the whole family would travel to their cabin on weekends. One memorable summer as teenagers, they recreated their own version of The Blair Witch Project.
Jimmy also shared a special connection with his mother, who, although she’d never admit to it, clearly had a soft spot. Their relationship brought out the best in both of them–he inspired a spiritual and loving side of her, while she was always reporting funny and surprising stories about Jimmy that no one else was privy to. Jimmy would do anything he could to keep his mom happy.
Melissa Oliver was the love of Jimmy’s life and the mother of his beloved son, Koen. He dreamed of building a stable, happy life for their little family, in a home without financial strain. Becoming a father was one of Jimmy’s proudest achievements. He and Koen were inseparable–visiting Lagoon amusement park, the Hogle Zoo, Build-A-Bear, and local parks.
But Jimmy’s life was not without struggle. Substance use disorder took hold of him, and it changed many of the qualities that once defined him. His family watched as the energetic, determined man they loved became unrecognizable—unreliable, withdrawn, and isolated. His sister Debbie, who has faced her own struggles with addiction, found in Jimmy’s pain the wake-up call she needed. She realized just how easy it was to overdose, and just how devastating the impact could be. Jimmy’s tragedy inspired Debbie to advocate for others facing substance use disorder. As someone who has experienced both sides of addiction, she now seeks to share her story to help others and raise awareness.
Jimmy’s humor, radiant smile, warm hugs, and the sound of his voice are missed deeply and remembered always.
Jimmy’s sister, Debbie Bircumshaw, provided the information for this narrative
December 14, 1982-July 21, 2017-Age 35
Portrait Artist: Jeremy Hebbel
Narrative Writer: Livia Cohen
