JAMES (JIM) HEIMO EVALD JOHNSON

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JAMES (JIM) HEIMO EVALD JOHNSON October 14, 1945 - July 11, 2003 It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle Jim on Friday, July 11, 2003, aged 57 years. Left to cherish his beautiful memory are his beloved wife of 36 years Veronica; his children, daughter Karmen, son-in-law Mark; daughter Naomi and friend Paul; son Merlin (Karen) grandchildren, Carly and Dakota; parents, Geiri and Anne Johnson; sister Bonnie (Larry, Duncan, Erynne) Danard; niece Ingrid (Earl) Morton; niece Brenda (Mike, Curtis) Mandin; sisters-in-law, Rose Hryhorchuk, Shirley (Walter) Tomiak, Janet (Jerry) Helgason, Joy (Joe) Kjartanson; brother-in-law Wayne Thorarinson; nieces, nephews, numerous friends and relatives; and his dog Winston of 16 years. He was predeceased by his sister Naida in 1995, father-in-law Albert Thorarinson and mother-in-law Verna Thorarinson. Jim was born in Winnipeg on October 14, 1945 and lived in Arnes all of his life. He was raised with a good work ethic helping his family with their small bush planes. Jim spent his young summers clearing brush at Sasaginnigak Lake and spent two summer holidays fishing with his dad on Great Slave Lake. Even though he was a young boy, Geiri and Jim were an unbeatable team when it came to dressing their catch of fish. Jim entered into aviation early, training for his private pilots license when he was 16 and had his commercial license when he turned 18. He was married to Veronica in 1967, and worked as a pilot, chief pilot and operations manager along side his wife as owners of Northway Aviation, Sasaginnigak Lodge and Biscuit Harbour. Jim ran a very successful air service with an outstanding safety record. He had numerous aircraft STCs (modifications) approved and brought the first Cessna Caravan into operation in Manitoba. Through the business he was featured in a National Film Board titled "The Bush Pilot", a television commercial for Maple Leaf, was mentioned in a number of books and featured in magazine articles. Jim served on the board of directors for the Arborg Credit Union for 12 years, served as Assistant Minister at the Riverton-Hnausa Lutheran Church, coached Riverton Minor Hockey teams, was one of the founding members of the Riverton and Area Business Association (RABA), the Interlake Sno-Runners snowmobile club, and the Riverton Flying Club and served as a member on various boards including the MLOA and as president of North Interlake Minor Hockey. Jim had travelled to Alaska, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and through much of Canada and the United States. Him and Veronica were planning a trip to Halifax this August. Jim was a visionary, always able to see and imagine what the future could be. He had a very creative mind. He enjoyed cooking, gardening, fishing, the outdoors, canoeing, hockey, snowmobiling, flying, music, art and having his 1969 Charger restored. He loved meeting and talking with people of all ages. Flying introduced him to many wonderful people and places. He especially enjoyed doing wildlife surveys with his friend Vince Crichton. His unique experiences, especially those flying, made for many memorable stories about people he had met and things he had done, stories which he loved to share, and we loved to hear. He was always a "young" person who loved life. He got to realize his dream of building Biscuit Harbour in 1996 and was eagerly anticipating the new paint job of our Otter. He had a passion for flying and loved to pass on his knowledge to his children and many pilots over the years. He enjoyed talking to his children every day to share his thoughts and ideas about the business. He was semi-retired, but his knowledge and experience were invaluable to his children and to his business. His pride and joy were his grandchildren, Carly and Dakota, and he loved to tell everyone about the amusing things they had said or done. Jim was excited for Dakotas new found love of hockey and could hardly wait for him to start so he could come see his first game. We give special thanks to Bonnie and Larry, to the Riverton and Arborg Ambulance attendants, the Arborg and District Hospital staff, the Intensive Care Unit at Seven Oaks Hospital, and friends and family for all of their support. We also give special thanks to our staff at Northway, Biscuit Harbour and Sasaginnigak for helping to keep things running during this difficult time. The service will be held at the Riverton Recreation Complex on Tuesday, July 15 at 2:00 p.m., with a viewing at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Trudy Sluth and Pastor Neil Von Gunten officiating. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Jims honour to the Riverton-Hnausa Lutheran Church or to Riverton Minor Hockey. A private family interment will take place at a later date. HIGH FLIGHT By John Gillespie Magee Jr. Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward Ive climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there, Ive chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious, burning blue Ive topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew. And, while with silent, lifting mind Ive trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. Gilbart Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 14, 2003