James Roland Johnston
February 20, 1940 - July 11, 2017
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James Roland Johnston
February 20, 1940 - July 11, 2017
Obituary
James “Tex” Roland Johnston, age 77, of Lynden, WA went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, after a brief battle with cancer. James was born on February 20, 1940 in Fort Worth, Texas. His adoptive parents were Johnnie and Verna Johnston. They moved to Lynden in 1955 where he excelled in high jump in track and basketball. In 1940, he married Harriet Van Beek and together they had five boys. He worked at the Mount Baker Plywood Mill for many years, and was a member of 2nd Christian Reformed Church in Lynden. James was also involved with Toys for God’s Kids, which is a charitable organization that provides handmade wooden cars to children around the world. James was a very caring loving man to all his family and friends. Preceding James in death is his first wife of 47 years, Harriet. Survivors include his wife Elaine; children, Steve (Glenda), Kevin (Marlene), Rod, Brian (Nancy) and Mike (Gwen); step-children, Darlene (Steve) Harris and Steven (Katie) Sterk; grandchildren, Taryn (Grant) Wagter, Landi Johnston, Dane (Bree) Johnston, Travis Johnston, Cole Johnston, Emily (Ryne) Degroot, Kayla (Tyrel) Cronk, Samantha Johnston, and Alexa Johnston; step-grandchildren, Breanne (Andy) Leslie, Trevin (Taylor) Harris, Jenae Harris, Carter Sterk, and Lucy Sterk; and great-grandchildren, Harper Wagter and Karsyn DeGroot. As per his wish, a private family graveside will take place at Monumenta Cemetery in Lynden. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in James’s name to a charity of your choice .
3 responses to James Roland Johnston
Pat Hoekstra says:
July 11, 2017
My sincere sympathy to James’ family. So sorry to read of his passing. Always such a nice guy. May God comfort you in the time of sadness.
Bob Rollins says:
July 11, 2017
I am so sorry to hear about James Roland, he was very special to me, and all of my family. His visits will be missed when he came to Arkansas. I know mom looked forward to going to Washington to visit every chance she got. I will never forget the trip I made with her that year, eating smoked oysters and watching you guys feeding that dog beans.Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Bob Rollins
martin and Doreen de Lange says:
July 11, 2017
Dear Family~We are grateful that we got to know Jim and are sorry about his passing but happy to know that he is in a better place where there is no pain. We will miss our after church evenings at DQ sitting at the round table discussing important life issues and solving world problems! We were hoping to have many more of those times!! Though that was our plan, not Gods!! He was a good man and going to be missed a lot.
Love, Martin and Doreen de Lange