James (Jim) Lyle Johnson

TEMPE – James (Jim) Lyle Johnson passed away unexpectedly on October 28, 2018 with his family by his side. He was born on December 18, 1934 to John Reynold and Marie Johnson in Worthington, Minnesota. He is survived by his four children: Scott Johnson of Tempe, AZ, Debbie (Johnson) and Kenneth Gaylord of La Mirada, CA, Gregg and Michelle Johnson of Lake Havasu City, AZ and Pilar (Johnson) and Todd Holtrop of Phoenix, AZ. He is survived by 9 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and two babies on the way. He is also survived by a brother, Kenneth Johnson of Auburn, CA and a sister, Carol Rae Norman of Scottsdale, AZ. Jim was an active member of Mountain View Lutheran Church in Phoenix, AZ. For many years he was active at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Phoenix, AZ. He served as the church President and Treasurer. He was baptized at 1st Lutheran in Worthington, MN and was confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairmont, MN. Jim married his college sweetheart, Marilyn Becker (decd. 10/15/11) on August 15, 1954 and they were married for 57 loving years. Jim was in the band and Marilyn was the majorette, the rest is history. He graduated with a degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota in 1957. Jim became a CPA and worked for Ernst and Whinney in Minneapolis until 1962. He then went to work for Main Lafrenz in Macomb, IL where he was admitted into partnership. He was their youngest CPA to become a partner. In 1969, he transferred to the Phoenix office and in 1972 Jim established his own CPA firm, Johnson Stevenson & Co. in Scottsdale, AZ. He later sold his CPA firm and went into the land development business and worked for Carefree Properties. The last three decades he worked for Globe Corporation of Scottsdale and Chicago. Jim was the past Chief Financial Officer of Globe Corporation, past Treasurer of the Globe Foundation and the National Historical Fire Foundation. He was currently serving as a Director of Globe Corporation, Globe Foundation and National Historical Fire Foundation. He was also an Advisor for the Globe Financial Corporation. His wisdom and professionalism will be sorely missed. He was on numerous boards and associations, including the AICPA and IMA. He also served as a member of the Board of Regents for California Lutheran University. Jim’s favorite pastime was to spend time with his children and grandchildren at the “Sommar Stuga” our family summer cabin in Munds Park, AZ. He enjoyed traveling to all of the kids’ various activities, graduations, birthdays and sporting events. He also traveled frequently to visit relatives and family all across the United States. He had a great trip to Sweden to see relatives and family landmarks in the summer of 2015. Jim enjoyed exercising with his Silver Sneakers group at the YMCA of Tempe. He loved music, concerts, plays, dinner parties and parades. He even played in a band with his grandsons. He enjoyed his many friends in Tempe and Pinewood and had an active social life. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. There will be a celebration of life memorial service for Jim on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Mountain View Lutheran Church in Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers please donate to Mountain View Lutheran Church charities.