Services for James Lance “Jim” Johns, Jr., 71, of Ada are 2:00 p.m. Friday at the Criswell Funeral Home Chapel, Jasper Mitchell will officiate. Military honors will be conducted at Rosedale Cemetery.
Mr. Johns passed away peacefully the morning of Monday, May 20, 2019 at his home. He was born December 7, 1947 in Yale, OK to James Lance “JL” Johns, Sr. and Dorothy Wollard Johns.
He grew up in Drumwright and Tulsa and graduated high school in California in 1965.
Jim was a heavy equipment operator in Redondo Beach, CA. He was employed by the Chickasaw Nation Housing Authority in early 1980’s. He was a welder for R & G Machinery Installations Industrial Services, Inc. traveling throughout Alabama, Illinois, Indiana and North Carolina.
Jim and Charlotte Baker were married on September 1, 1978 in Ada.
He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Johns; daughter, Charnelle Johnson and husband Randall of Ada; grandsons, Carter Ross of Tulsa, Jonathan Rooker of Ada; step-grandson, Chance Johnson of Ada; his aunt, Bonnie Stubblefield of Sapulpa; uncle, Earl Wollard of Enid; uncle, Lloyd Wollard, Bolivia; six nieces; six nephews; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; and great-great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son and buddy, Kevin Wayne Johns; and brother, Larry Wayne Johns.
Jim was an avid fisherman, enjoyed camping, the outdoors, coaching little league baseball and riding his Harley motorcycle. Jim served in the U. S. Army as a combat engineer in Co. A, 4th Engineer Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, during the Vietnam War from 1967-1969; the Oklahoma National Guards, 1120th Maintenance Co. from 1986-1993; Active Duty Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, January 1991-May 1991.
He received several commendations including the Vietnam Service Medal (with/Silver Service Star); National Defense Service Medal (w/Star); Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Army Commendation Medal for Heroism; Sharpshooter (M-14 Rifle) and Expert (M-16 Rifle).
Bearers will be Charles “Kato” Baker, Preston Baker, Joe Stanley, Mark Factor, Randall Johnson, Chad Smith and Chad Grissom.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
