James "JJ" Edward Johnson

     James Edward Johnson, "Jimmy" or "JJ" to all who knew and loved him, 61, of Sturgeon Bay, WI, died suddenly at home on Monday, April 18, 2022 following an apparent heart attack.

     He was born May 17, 1960 in Sturgeon Bay, the son of James Forest Johnson and Mildred Mary (Belongia) Slack. JJ grew up attending parochial school in Sturgeon Bay and graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School.

     He was employed with Peterson Builders Inc. (PBI) in Sturgeon Bay as an aluminum fitter and an electrician from June of 1993 until April of 1994 and worked on various stages of Naval ship construction. That year, JJ met Janice Mae Rocen, and they were married three years later in 1997, in New Orleans, LA. He was the bar manager of (the former) Maritime Bar in Sturgeon Bay from March of 1996 until October of 1998. JJ also worked for M&M Machines in the 1990s and went to work as a video tech for Leja Distributors in Abrams from May of 1998 until March of 2008 when he then established his own business, JJ's Vending LLC. He continued working as a video tech was especially proud when he bought his own work truck, complete with lift gate to move machines to and from various locations. JJ completed his vending business venture in March of 2017. He and Janice were blessed over 17 years of marriage and 20 years of friendship. Janice passed away March 16, 2014.

     He met Janet Lenius Paradise that year and have remained together since. JJ was most recently employed with Floor Mart since March of 2020.

     He was a huge sports fan. In the '80s, JJ enjoyed playing slow-pitch softball in league at West Side Field and Jaycee Field in Sturgeon Bay and also fast-pitch softball into the '90s. He organized, served on the board for, and played in numerous local dart leagues in addition to shooting pool in local leagues from the 1980s until the 2000s. JJ played golf in league at Idlewild Golf Course in Sturgeon Bay and casually there and at other area courses. He was an avid card player of sheepshead and euchre with friends. As a fan of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Wisconsin Badgers, JJ collected various team memorabilia. He liked the excitement of March Madness (NCAA basketball tournament) and completed a bracket and then also for NFL games during football seasons. JJ loved to travel, especially to New Orleans, LA, Las Vegas, NV, and Florida. His favorite place to visit was Jamaica, which he considered his second home, and had hopes of living there at some point. JJ attended music concerts for Jimmy Buffet at Alpine Theatre in East Troy, WI and also Summerfest in Milwaukee, WI in 1980s, 1990s, and the 2000s. Whatever JJ was doing, he loved being surrounded by friends. If he knew you, he'd call you from across the room or make a point to stop over and say hi. You knew you were in for a good story or joke as he would put his hand on or tap your shoulder as he narrated the story or delivered the punch line.

     JJ will be deeply missed by his three siblings, Lloyd (Sarah) Slack and Barbara (Dave) Drury, both of Woodstock, IL, and Patricia "Patsy" (Mark) Nellesen of Rosholt, WI; sister-in-law, Jung-Sook Slack of Woodstock, IL; nephews and niece, Christopher (Karen) Slack, Jerry Slack, and Edward (Valerie) Slack and Elaine (Thomas) Eckert; other relatives; his girlfriend, Janet Paradise of Sturgeon Bay, WI, with whom he shared the last eight years with; Janet's sons, Allen (Salena) Fortemps of Kewaunee, WI and Clint Fortemps of Kaukauna, WI; Janet's granddaughters, Emily and Sydney Fortemps; Janet's great-granddaughter, Scarlette; good friends, Gary Gauthier, James Abrahamson, Tom Delchambre, George Poh, Julie Sarter, and many other friends from over the years and through the community.

      He was preceded in death by his father, James Johnson, and mother, Mildred (Arthur J.) Slack; wife, Janice; four siblings, Arthur C. Slack, Wilbur "Woody" Slack, Elsie (Peter) Bergman, and Mary Ann Walkowski; brother-in-law, Jerry Rocen; other relatives; friends, David Flanum, Harold Baker, and Robin Laak, and other good friends.

     Relatives and friends are welcome visit at Huehns Funeral Home, 1414 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay WI 54235 on Saturday, May 7, 2022 after 9:00 a.m. until the sharing of memories at 11:00 a.m.

     Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of JJ may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.

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