IN LOVING MEMORY OF
James C.
"Shorty" Johnson
January 3, 2016
Obituary
James C. "Shorty" Johnson, 85, of Elkhart, passed away early Sunday, Jan. 3, at his residence.
He was born Oct. 7, 1930, in Roan Mountain, Tenn., to the late Frank and Fanny Mae Johnson.
He married Jean Carolyn Bradshaw in 1951 in Elizabethton, Tenn. Jean died Dec. 5, 2011.
Surviving are a son, John Johnson of Castlewood, Va.; daughter Betty Lou Berkey of Elkhart; son-in-law Everett Kettle of South Bend; four grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents and wife, a daughter, Judy S. Kettle; brother R.L. Johnson; and sisters Evelyn Gray and Frankie Johnson preceded James in death.
"Shorty," as his friends and family called him, retired from Georgie Boy, where he worked for more than 40 years as a repairman. He was a member of Highland Park Baptist Church in Elkhart. Shorty played rhythm guitar and was the lead singer of a bluegrass band called the Country Squires. They entertained veterans at the Marion VA Hospital for more than 13 years.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, at Billings Funeral Home, with a service celebrating James' life beginning at 8 p.m. Pastor Ray Caudill and Pastor Nathan Craig will officiate. James will be buried Saturday, Jan. 9, in Colbaugh Cemetery in Elizabethton, Tenn.
Memorials may be made to Highland Park Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.
He was born Oct. 7, 1930, in Roan Mountain, Tenn., to the late Frank and Fanny Mae Johnson.
He married Jean Carolyn Bradshaw in 1951 in Elizabethton, Tenn. Jean died Dec. 5, 2011.
Surviving are a son, John Johnson of Castlewood, Va.; daughter Betty Lou Berkey of Elkhart; son-in-law Everett Kettle of South Bend; four grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents and wife, a daughter, Judy S. Kettle; brother R.L. Johnson; and sisters Evelyn Gray and Frankie Johnson preceded James in death.
"Shorty," as his friends and family called him, retired from Georgie Boy, where he worked for more than 40 years as a repairman. He was a member of Highland Park Baptist Church in Elkhart. Shorty played rhythm guitar and was the lead singer of a bluegrass band called the Country Squires. They entertained veterans at the Marion VA Hospital for more than 13 years.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, at Billings Funeral Home, with a service celebrating James' life beginning at 8 p.m. Pastor Ray Caudill and Pastor Nathan Craig will officiate. James will be buried Saturday, Jan. 9, in Colbaugh Cemetery in Elizabethton, Tenn.
Memorials may be made to Highland Park Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James C. "Shorty" Johnson, please visit our flower store.
