Jim D. Johnson, 79 of Avon
Funeral services will be 1:30 pm Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at the First Baptist Church in Avon, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Chapel in Avon Tuesday from 2 pm to 7 pm. Memorials will be directed to the Yankton Avera Hospice Program.

James Delaine Johnson, son of Jim and Rosa (Burma) Johnson, was born October 1, 1928 at the Hollingsworth Hospital in Avon, SD. He died at his home in rural Avon on Saturday, October 13, 2007. Jim attained the age of 79 years and 13 days.

Jim attended the Avon School all 12 years, then Yankton College and Southern State Teachers College at Springfield, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education.
Jim married Jean Listen at the Methodist Church in Plankinton, SD on June 26, 1955. Two daughters, Diane and Jill, were born to this union. They were the light of his life.

Jim was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Avon, where in his youth he directed the men's chorus. He also directed the men's chorus at Turkey Valley Baptist while teaching at Irene.
Jim was in the SD National Guard, 147th Army Band of Mitchell from 1950 to 1962.
As a music educator in SD public schools for over 30 years, his whole life was dedicated to making music and teaching young people to enjoy and create music.
Jim played with numerous dance bands in the area, with a special highlight being a tour with the Jan Garber Band the winter of 1982. He contributed to Tabor's Czech Days for 52 years with the "1890 Band" and-St. Wenceslaus Polka Mass. Jim was a dedicated member of the Yankton Area Summer Band and guest conducted in 1998. He was a member of the Yankton Union Band while it existed. Jim's most recent and very satisfying work was his weekly lessons taught to trumpet student and young friend, Sean Bauder. Jim worked with him from the time Sean was five years old until his graduation in 2007, achieving many honors.

In 1977, Jim and Jean moved to the "home place", a farm north of Avon, where they cherished its' solitude. Jim loved his John Deere tractor and Ford pickup, the Vikings and Twins, bull-head fishing, pheasant hunting, listening to and playing "Old Time" polkas, waltzes and a good military march, flannel sheets in winter and the SD Black Hills.

So very proud of sharing his life are his wife, Jean and daughters: Diane Johnson of Yankton, and Jill Todd and husband, Daris of Pomona, CA. Survivors also include sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lorraine and Jim Slade of Yankton and their family; and four cousins.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brother and wife, Roy and Joan Johnson; several aunts, uncles and cousins; and parents-in-law, Wilbur and Winifred Liston of Plankinton.