James "Jim" Marlow Johnson

James Marlow Johnson, the son of Stanley and Inga (Bratholt) Johnson, was born October 11, 1934, in Graceville, Minnesota and died October 13, 2019, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 85 years and 2 days.
Jim was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. He attended Eyota Community Schools in Eyota, Minnesota graduating with the High School Class of 1952. Jim studied at Winona State Teacher’s College in Winona, Minnesota for two years then transferred to Drake University Pharmacy College in Des Moines, Iowa.
On September 15, 1956, he was united in marriage to Donna Walker. They were blessed with four children Brenda, Colette, Laurie, and Jason. They lived in Des Moines while Jim continued his studies, graduating with a Pharmacy Degree in 1957. He then was employed at Neal Drug in Des Moines for one year. On October 2, 1958, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. During his tour of duty he served as a Pharmacy Specialist at Valley Forge General Hospital in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Jim was honorably discharged on September 30, 1960. They moved to Red Oak, Iowa where Jim was a Pharmacist until 1966. They purchased Killion Pharmacy in Exira, Iowa in 1966 and operated Johnson Pharmacy for over 33 years until they sold the business and retired in 1999.
Jim enjoyed traveling with Donna and his family. Each year they would take some time off and take road trip vacations visiting almost every state in the continental United States. Later, Jim learned to fly airplanes and then became an instructor. He enjoyed many outdoors activities including fishing, hunting, biking, golfing, canoeing, photography, and during the winters, bowling. He was an avid Iowa State and Iowa football fan and a Drake basketball fan.
Jim was an active member of the Exira Lutheran Church and enjoyed singing in the choir. He was very community minded He was active in the Community Club, the Exira Blue Chippers, and was responsible for the float registration at the annual 4th of July parade. Jim was instrumental in the founding of the Exira Care Center and the Exira Home Development Corporation.
Jim finally fulfilled his dreams of going to medical school by donating his body to the Des Moines University, formerly the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Des Moines, Iowa and will be used for teaching and research.
Preceding him in death were his parents Stanley and Inga Johnson and his brother Gerald Johnson.
Survivors include his wife Donna Johnson of Exira, Iowa; his children: Brenda and husband Bill McAdaragh and their children Ryan and Kaitlyn of Tinley Park, Illinois, Colette and husband Ed Ergenbright and their children Emily, Allison, and Trevor of Newton, Iowa, Laurie Johnson of McAllen, Texas, and Jason and wife Angela Johnson and their children Sidne, Rian, Harrisen, Ari, Fremont, Wallace and Elliott of Derby, Iowa; his sister-in-law Marilee Johnson and her daughter Montana Johnson and Montana’s son Julian of Minneapolis, Minnesota; his brother-in-law Dale and wife Pat Walker of Greenfield, Iowa and their children Jeff, Julie, Jerry, and Jay; other relatives and many friends.
The family will meet with friends on Friday morning, October 18, 2019 from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. The Memorial Service will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. at the Exira Lutheran Church.
As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, American Cancer Society, Exira Fire Department, Exira Cemetery, or a charity of your choice.