James William Johnston Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

James William Johnston, 96, of Fargo, ND died on April 11, 2020 at Bethany on University, Fargo, ND. Jim was born to William A. and Ilma E. Johnston in Cripple Creek, CO on December 27, 1923. He was raised in Forest River, ND where he graduated in 1941. Following graduation, he joined the Army and for the next 4 years served tours of duty in both Europe and Japan. He returned to enroll at North Dakota State University where he was a member of the Theta Chi social fraternity, Blue Key, the Letterman’s Club, became President of the Senior Class, and was known as “Jumping Jimmy J” on NDSU’s basketball team. It was at college that Jim met Joyce Edith Gackle. They were married August 15, 1948, a marriage that lasted 57 years until Joyce’s passing in 2005. Upon graduation from NDSU, the couple moved to Bismarck, ND where Jim taught at Bismarck High School and became head basketball coach at Bismarck Junior College. Shortly thereafter, Jim and his brother-in-law formed a real estate partnership called Robert James Real Estate Co. In 1957, Jim was elected to the North Dakota legislature where he represented Burleigh County for 8 years. While living in Bismarck, Jim was also active with the Masons, Shriners, Elks, and American Legion organizations, and was President of the North Dakota Realtors Assoc. In 1964, Jim joined the Melroe Manufacturing Co. (now Bobcat), where he became Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Jim and his family lived in Minneapolis, Lisbon, and Fargo during his Bobcat days and later moved to Battle Creek, MI where he was a Vice President of Clark Equipment (which had acquired Melroe). Upon retiring, Jim and Joyce lived in Venice, FL and summered at their lake home in Detroit Lakes, MN. He was an avid reader of history, a golf enthusiast, a master bridge player, and a loyal supporter of the North Dakota State Bison teams and the St. Louis Cardinal baseball team. Jim is survived by his 3 children, Scott (Diane), Sheboygan, WI, Paul (Mitzi), Miami, FL, Ann (Mike) Schutz, Fargo, ND; partner, Marge Haggart, Fargo, ND; 9 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. A memorial service will be held at a later date. The family requests donations be made to: Jim and Joyce Johnston Math Scholarship Endowment, NDSU Foundation, P. O. Box 5144, Fargo, ND 58102.

James William Johnston

December 27, 1923 - April 11, 2020