Obituary: James Thomas Johnson

James Thomas Johnson, of Montclair, died on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2019. 

Mr. Johnson was born on Oct. 24,1932 in the small city of Charlotte County, Va. to Robert Francis and Evelyn Dennison Johnson.

Mr. Johnson attended the Charlotte County school system. Every morning before school he would wake up early to get the firewood and prepare the stove, so his mother can cook. While in Virginia he would watch his uncle work on cars.

After his father died, at the age of 28, he and his mother moved to Montclair. Mr. Johnson’s love for working on cars led him to employment at Blauvelt Pontiac in Montclair. While working there he obtained his Class A Commercial driver's license. After six years, he got a job as a tractor and trailer driver for Allstate Can Corporation in Clifton. He was a member of Teamster Local 560, working for over 20 years and retiring in 1997. He then worked as a custodian for the Grove Laundromat. He would open the laundromat every morning at 4 a.m. for the past 20 years after retiring.

Mr. Johnson, known as “Jimmy” to family and friends, worked on many cars around town. Everyday he would frequent his favorite hang-outs: Larry’s Gas Station, Kay O’s Barber Shop and Lackawanna Plaza Mall.

Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife, Deidre and children, Khaliah, Kyjuan and Katrice, a  grandson, Kwamaine; brothers and sisters-in-laws, Yolanda “Lori,” Lisa, Geraldine “Mae-Mae,” Gary, Fred, Afken and Kevin; friend, Kim and other relatives and friends.

A viewing will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 27 Monroe Place, Montclair. Service to follow at same location. Interment will be in Rosedale Cemetery, Orange.