James Edgar Johnson

James Edgar Johnson was born May 21, 1921 in Pomona Chestertown Maryland to the late David S. Johnson and Susie Anna Walley Johnson. He was the youngest of eight children. On the morning of Sunday November 13, 2016 he was called to eternal rest. Edgar, his preferred name, was a resident of Forwood Manor in Wilmington Delaware since 2013. Prior to that he had been a resident of Foulk Manor South also in Wilmington after leaving his beloved Pine Acres in Quaker Neck Chestertown Maryland during the spring of 2010. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 45 years, Doris (Dot) Dorsey Johnson in 1987. They were mutually devoted to each other as well as their home and farm. They were not blessed with any children. Both enjoyed welcoming family and friends by entertaining inside and under their many pine trees. Their marriage was a truly shared union as Dot assisted Ed, her affectionate name for him, outside with farming and he assisted her managing their home. In addition, he was preceded in death by all five living siblings. Edgar and Dot left Chestertown in the early 1940’s to work in private family homes in Delaware County Pennsylvania and Wilmington Delaware for several years. One such family was the Pickard’s of Greenville Delaware. At one time he landed a position at Atlantic Richfield Refineries in Philadelphia. Soon after employment, his celebrated dairyman father became ill and died. Edgar left Atlantic Richfield returned home to Chestertown to manage and dissolve the family farm and livestock as well as resituating his mother into to a new home that he designed. Edgar and Dot permanently moved back home in the late 1950’s. After several years he worked the building and construction industry in Wilmington beginning in 1961 and joining Laborers Local 199 to which he remained a member until death. Edgar retired early from the industry in 1969 to care for his beloved Dot until her passing. Edgar was a faithful member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Chestertown until he relocated to Wilmington due to vascular cognitive illness. Under the care of his favorite niece affectionately known as “Cookie” (Janice Parker) he thrived for several years until his memory declined. He was the last living child of David Samuel Derry Johnson and Susie Anna Johnson. He is survived by nieces Blanch D. Brown, Barrington, NJ; Janice B. Parker, Wilmington, DE; Danice and Doreen Johnson (last known location) Columbus OH; one nephew John David Johnson, Jr (last known location) Columbus OH; Ruth Elizabeth Johnson, Philadelphia PA; one first cousin Grace Johnson Ewell, Philadelphia, PA; twelve grand nieces and nephews, twenty-one great-grand nieces and nephews; thirty-six great, great grand nieces and nephews plus many more family and friends. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Edgar Johnson, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

James Edgar Johnson

May 21, 1921 - November 14, 2016