Jim Johnson, former Virginia Cooperative Extension director and associate professor emeritus in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech passed away on Sunday, Jan. 5. He was 87.
Johnson began his career as an Extension agent in 1961, serving three southeast Virginia counties. He held leadership roles at the district and central level before being appointed acting director of Virginia Cooperative Extension in 1989. He was named director the following year and continued to serve in the role until his retirement in 1992.
During his tenure as director, Johnson successfully aligned Extension – at that time an organization of 850 employees in 115 offices – under the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, where it remains housed today.
In retirement, Johnson and his wife of 52 years, Janet (dean emerita of the College of Human Resources and Education, a precursor to the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences), continued to leave an indelible mark on Virginia Tech and their community through philanthropy and volunteer service. The Johnsons served on the campaign steering committee for CALS; funded a number of endowments, including one supporting Extension; made annual gifts to 4-H and other areas across the university; and provided service on several Virginia Tech advisory boards. For many years, Jim Johnson was a key organizer of networking events for Virginia Cooperative Extension retirees.
Over the years, Johnson provided volunteer leadership to many other organizations, including the Blacksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Clubs of Blacksburg and Roanoke Valley, New River Community College, the YMCA at Virginia Tech, and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra.
Among his honors, he was named Distinguished Citizen of the Year by both the Blacksburg and Christiansburg Chambers of Commerce. Jim and Janet were jointly inducted into the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Hall of Fame in 2015. The couple also received the Baldwin Town and Gown Award and the Ruby C. McSwain Outstanding Philanthropist Award from the National Agricultural Alumni and Development Association.
“Jim was a very passionate supporter of Virginia Cooperative Extension,” said Alan Grant, professor and dean emeritus of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “He provided significant leadership and service to VCE and also served in various leadership and service roles following his retirement. His perspectives on how the Extension mission has evolved have been especially helpful to many of us involved in VCE. Jim will be missed greatly.”
“Jim was a consummate gentleman and professional,” said Ed Jones, professor, associate dean, and director emeritus of Virginia Cooperative Extension. “For me, he was a great role model on how to be a supportive retired director, committed to the mission of VCE. When I became director, Jim welcomed me and was a strong, encouraging force as I dealt with rebuilding VCE.”
Johnson earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Virginia Tech and his doctorate from North Carolina State University. A former first lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal in 1963.
He is survived by his wife, Janet M. Johnson; son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Amy Shorner-Johnson; daughter, Sarah F. Johnson; granddaughter, Leah Shorner-Johnson; grandson, Joel Shorner-Johnson; and brothers, David Johnson and his wife, Kathy, and Daniel Johnson and his wife, Joyce.
Johnson was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Roanoke and a former member of Christ Episcopal Church in Blacksburg.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, Jan. 13, at 3 p.m., at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Roanoke. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church (P.O. Box 257, Roanoke, VA, 24002), the Janet and Jim Johnson Extension Endowment (contact: Ben Grove, Director of Development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech, 540-231-7640 or [email protected]), or to the Virginia Lutheran Homes (Brandon Oaks) at 3807 Brandon Ave, Roanoke, VA, 24018.
Online condolences may be made at www.oakeys.com. His full obituary can be found here.
– Marya Barlow
