© Bishop Funeral Home
Submitted by: Carol Spear Rice

James Edgar Johnson, born December 8, 1937, passed from this earth to his eternal heavenly home on April 24, 2022. The family will greet visitors on Monday, May 2, 2022 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bishop Funeral Service in McAlester. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at First Free Will Baptist Church in McAlester with Rev. Steve Mayhew officiating. Burial to follow at Indianola Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Chad Johnson, Micah Frye, Hayden Hefner, Brent Yates, Roy Justice, and Scott McAdoo. Honorary pallbearers will be Chris McAdoo, Roger McAdoo, Keith Eldridge, David Eldridge, Donny Dunn, Freddie Dunn, Kaleb Wagoner, Zac Doyle, Kenneth Masters, Jack Masters, Charles Rogers, Jimmy Lee, Curtis Day, Ron Ferrier, Robert Rogers, Gayle Shannon, Sherry Spencer, Harold Roberts, and all of the "Jammers" from RGV and Grove. James was born in Ulan and raised in Indianola and Crowder with his parents, Edgar and Sallie (Denson) Johnson; three sisters; and a brother. James married Inez Newman on May 12, 1956. Shortly thereafter, the two of them moved to California until they returned to McAlester in 1962. For over 50 years, James and Inez Johnson, known as "The Johnsons," traveled the country singing gospel music, preserving many of their favorite songs on a dozen albums and CDs. James and Inez were married for over 64 years. James enjoyed his sports and participated in baseball, basketball, and volleyball athletics for Crowder. James also played semi-professional baseball in California. He had a great knuckleball and taught Donny at a young age how to effectively throw such a pitch. He coached both Danny, Donny, and many other young players in baseball for years throughout McAlester. James always coached to win. He taught hard work, strategy, and excellent techniques to achieve victory. James once had Danny's team in the finals of an out-of-state tournament. Through strategy, the first baseman faked putting the ball in Danny's glove as he played pitcher, and subsequently tagged the runner out at first base when the runner stepped off the bag. The umpires ruled the runner out then reversed the out call saying, "tricks weren’t allowed." After an unsuccessful protest by James, he told the umpires and tournament officials they weren't playing real baseball; so, he loaded his team up while still leading in the finals and headed home without completing the game. James worked for 37 years for the US Post Office before retiring. In retirement, James and Inez enjoyed life by traveling in their RV across the country meeting and making new life-long friends at church services and gospel jams in California, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, and many other states. James also loved bowling in church leagues and playing pool on Thursdays with the men in Tahlequah from Go Ye Village and bowling with them each Friday. For the last two years, he could be found on Sunday afternoons at Donny's house playing nine-ball pool with Danny and Donny. He loved watching and encouraging his grandchildren as they participated in sports and other activities. James was preceded in death by his loving wife: Inez Johnson; his parents: Edgar and Sallie Johnson; his father- and mother-in-law: Odie and Opal Newman; sisters: Vera Mae Masters, Juanita Motley, and Pat McAdoo; a brother: Altus Johnson; daughters-in-law: Peggy McCaslin Johnson and Tammie Johnson; and a great-granddaughter: Ellie Dee Hefner. James is survived by his sons: Danny Johnson of Jenks, Donny Johnson of Tahlequah; grandchildren: Tiffany Johnson of Tulsa, Chad Johnson of Las Vegas, Nevada, Briana Johnson of Oceanside, California, Bailey Frye and her husband, Micah Frye; great-granddaughters: Lively of Tahlequah, Britney Hefner and her husband, Hayden Hefner; and great-grandson: Shepherd of Edmond.