James Albert Johns

James Albert Johns, 85, passed away on November 10, 2017. He was born November 11, 1931, in Andrews County, Texas and grew up in Saint Jo, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Hazel (Wilson) Johns, and sisters Dorothy (Johns) Giffin and husband James, Sue (Johns) Lemons and husband Allen and Doris Anita Johns.

James is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Mary (Sellers) Johns and children James Cecil Johns and wife Laurel, Joy Beless and husband Roger and Donna Cox and husband Paul. “Grandpa” loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren dearly and was always proud to tell others about them: Brooks and wife Hunter Beless and their daughters, Hadley and Davy; Bradley Beless and wife Kate and their sons Asher and Michael; Elizabeth Beless, Rebecca Beless, Jay Johns, Ethan Johns, Nehemiah Cox, Micah Joy Cox and Miriam Cox. He loved his family with a sacrificial and unconditional love.

James was no stranger to hard work. He worked with his hands throughout his career, which began at an early age operating heavy equipment on multiple road and lake construction crews throughout north Texas. He continued to support his family as Public Works Director in River Oaks (Fort Worth) for more than 30 years. Retirement did not suit him well and he worked for several years at Castleberry ISD. James and Mary moved to the Callisburg, Texas community in 2000, where he ranched full time until his health failed. He loved to be outside, especially on the ranch with his cattle and could do anything he set his mind to.

To his family and friends, James was loyal, dependable and caring - the one you called on to get the job done. He loved to go camping and enjoy God’s creation. He helped develop and maintain the Callisburg Park for all to enjoy. Vilott Baptist Church was where he and Mary were married and later returned to when living at Callisburg. He was a man of strong faith, which was played out in how he lived his life. He was giving, wise and loving, wanting all to know God loved them.

To all who knew him, he lived out integrity and quietly worked behind the scenes to make his family, church and community feel loved and valued. He will be greatly missed and precious memories will always be treasured by the legacy he has left behind.

The family wants to thank the staff of Pecan Tree Health and Rehab for their care and service over the last several years.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, November 13, 2017 at the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home with the Rev. Rick Isham officiating and the Rev. Carl Thorell Assisting. Burial will follow in the Callisburg Cemetery. A visitation will Be held on Sunday, Novemeber 12, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Vilott Baptist Church, college scholarship fund.