James Arthur Johnson

James Arthur Johnson, 85, of  Houghton Lake passed away on Friday March 6, 2026 at The Brook of Houghton Lake with his loving family by his side.

Jim was born on February 22, 1941 in Escanaba, Michigan to John Harry and Ingeborg (Abrahamson) Johnson. He grew up in the Rapid River area, where he became an Eagle Scout and graduated from Rapid River High 
School. Jim then earned his Bachelor's degree in teaching from Northern Michigan University.  On August 15, 1964, in Stonington, Michigan, Jim was married to Anita Marie Mattson. Jim began his teaching career at Garden Community Schools, and in 1966, the couple moved from Rapid River to Houghton Lake, where Jim taught high school Biology and Advanced Biology for 31 years before retiring in 1997.  He was not just a teacher at the Houghton Lake Schools; he was very dedicated to his school and a mentor to his students by being a bus driver, the Senior Class Advisor for many years, Girls' High School Track Coach, and would always be at the gate of basketball and football games as the ticket person.  For his contributions to the Houghton Lake Schools athletic programs, Jim was inducted into the Houghton Lake Athletic Hall of Fame. Jim was also an active and dedicated community member as a member and on the Board of Directors of St. John Lutheran Church,  past president of the Houghton Lake Sportsman's Club, where he taught hunter safety courses for 40 years, on the Board of Directors of the Soil Conservation District, and participated in the Gypsy Moth count for many years, and was a member of the Sheriff's Posse. He also enjoyed being an outdoorsman, while hunting, fishing, trapping, and gardening.

Surviving Mr. Johnson are his loving wife of 61years, Anita Marie Johnson of Houghton Lake; two daughters, Sally Johnson of Houghton Lake, and Deanna (Joshua) Russell of Traverse City; son, Roger (Jennifer) Johnson of Leonardtown, MD; two granddaughters, Rebecca(Matthew) Waalkes, and Alison Johnson; one great granddaughter, Alison Waalkes.  James was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lillian Marx; brother, John Harry Johnson Jr. 

Funeral Services for James Arthur Johnson will be conducted at 11:00 am on Thursday March 12, 2026 from St. John Lutheran Church of Houghton Lake with Rev. Paul Kruse officiating. Interment will be in Roscommon Township Cemetery, Houghton Lake. Visitation will be held on Thursday March 12, 2026 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at St. John Lutheran Church of Houghton Lake.  Memorial contributions in memory of James are asked to be directed to St. John Lutheran Church. Christler Funeral Home, Houghton Lake Chapel is serving the family. Condolences can be sent to the family online at www.christler-holdship.com 

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