Obituary of James Johnson

James Johnson Jr., 56, of Monticello entered into eternal peace on February 13, 2009 at Catskill Regional Hospital in Harris. James was born on February 17, 1952 in West Philadelphia, Pa. to the late Dorothy Armstead and the late James Johnson Sr. He was raised in "Germantown" Philadelphia until a young teenager when they moved to Monticello, N.Y. He attended Monticello Schools and attended SCCC in the culinary Arts Program. He worked at the Monticello Raceway for 13 years until his retirement. Here is where he met his loving and devoted wife Semmie Johnson of 35 wonderful years. James was a quiet man, fun loving man, kind to all that knew him. He loved cooking, traveling and his dog "Gypsy". He leaves to mourn his memory his wife Semmie Johnson of Monticello; two daughters India Johnson of Monticello and Naomi Johnson of Woodbourne; his loving grandson Jaden James Johnson; sisters: Denise Gibbs(Wayne) of the Bronx, Katharine Diggins of Philadelphia, Pa; a brother: Edgar Washington(Ann) of Monticello; stepfather: Thomas Armstead of Philadelphia; sisters-in-law: Doris Lawrence(David) of San Francisco, Calif., Ann Young(Eric) of Monticello, Joyce Baker(James) of Fairhope, Ala.; brothers-in-law: Otha Lawrence(Lisa) of Hephzibah GA, and Harry Lawrence of Monticello; a host of cousins from Philadelphia: Tyrone, Billy, Herb Jr., Vickie, Mable, Barbara Jean and Aunt Sarah Washington; 17-nephews, 8-nieces, 3-great nephews, 9-great nieces, 12-grt, grt nephews and 2-grt grt nieces; and friends near and far; and our extended family Mr. & Mrs. Dick Owens. James is predeceased by his mother, Dorothy Armstead; father, James Johnson Sr.; grandmother, Alberta Barrett; great grandmother, Catharine Wells; uncle Herb Sr.; and cousin Phyllis. Visitation will be on Friday, February 20 from 7-9pm at the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home, 401 Broadway in Monticello. His funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 21 at 11:00am at the Kings Chapel Mission, Spring Street in Monticello. Arrangements under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello. For additional information please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com