James "Jim" Charles Johnson

Born August 24, 1946 in Philadelphia, PA, Jim was the oldest grandson of Rev. Roland C. Lamb, Sr., founder of Philadelphia’s Providence Baptist Church. He often talked about how being a pastor’s grandson meant he couldn't get away with acting a fool without getting in trouble with all the other adults in the community. Rev. Lamb’s legacy also helped cement Jim’s Christian faith and prepare him to become the trailblazer he was meant to be.

Jim graduated from Philly’s prestigious Central High School in 1964 as the president of his senior class and one of the few Black students in the entire school. He followed that by being one of the few Black students to graduate from Dartmouth College in 1968. Following brief stints as a high school English teacher and a newspaper editorial writer, Jim transitioned into television news. Throughout the 1970’s and 80’s, he broke barriers as one of the few Black news producers and TV editorial directors of his era. His work brought him and his family across the Northeast, from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh to Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Boston. He then moved into corporate communications, which brought him to Houston where he and his wife have lived since 1998.

Jim was a crack storyteller. If you were lucky enough to spend an afternoon with him watching football, he would have told you a corny joke, spun his favorite tales from the old neighborhood, and shared his wry commentary on current events; all of this woven in with spiritual and financial wisdom that would change your life.

Jim is preceded in death by his mother and father, Malinda Lamb Johnson and James Charles Johnson, Sr., his brother, Jef Lee Johnson and his sister, Joanne Johnson. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dana Phillips Johnson; his sisters, Judy Johnson David and Pat Bembry Moore; his children, Lynn Johnson (of Albuquerque, NM) and Michael Johnson (of Redondo Beach, CA); 5 granddaughters—Ella, Sadie, Lilian, Cora, and Heaven; and a host of other family and friends.

Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 11 a.m. at Fallbrook Church, 12512 Walters Road, Houston, TX 77014 with a repast to follow (venue to be announced).

The family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of “James C. Johnson, Jr”.