James "jake" Jesse Johnson

James “Jake” Jesse Johnson, 93, passed away from natural causes on February 3, 2023, in Tucson, Arizona. Born in Zanesville, Ohio, to Ethel and Ernest Johnson, he lived most of life in Alaska, spending his later years in Arizona. Jake served in the US Army in the late 1940s. In the 1950s, he became a homesteader in Fairbanks where he built three houses, all of which are still in use. Jake held many jobs in his long life, including Commissioner of Transportation for the State of Alaska. In his 60s, he worked as the maintenance facilitator for the Bayshore Clubhouse while also operating a successful asphalt business.

In retirement, Jake enjoyed restoring classic Studebakers, making homemade chocolates, and sharing meals with family and friends. His family will always remember his sense of humor and willingness to help others in need.

Jake is survived by his wife, Susan Johnson; daughters Jayne and Karen; sons Jeffrey and Timothy; stepchildren Bobette, Sheri, and Michael; and numerous grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his former wife, Marilyn; stepdaughter, Wendy; two brothers; and three sisters. A celebration of life is planned for June 21 in Anchorage, AK at the Bayshore Clubhouse.

Highlights of James Jesse “Jake” Johnson

Jake was born in Zanesville, Ohio to Ethel and Ernest Johnson in 1929, and from a young age he yearned to leave the family farm and experience the wide world. During the Great Depression, he helped his family by working on the farm and earning wages at a variety of jobs, including glass maker. At the age of 17 he joined the US Army, where for a time he was stationed in Alaska. After his military service, he married his high school sweetheart, Adele and had two daughters in Ohio before moving to Fairbanks, Alaska to become a homesteader. On his land, he built two log cabins while working as a truck driver for Sig Wold, Garrison Fast Freight, and manager for Concrete Products of Alaska. Two sons were born to him during this time. Jake built his third house in 1969-70, a large frame and concrete block house which his kids called “The Mansion.” The family enjoyed that house for only a year because Jake was appointed by Governor Keith H. Miller as a Commissioner of Transportation and subsequently moved to Anchorage in 1970. After working in that position for 12 years, he started an Amway business. During this time, he married his second wife, Marilyn, and the two families joined. During the economic downturn of the 1980s, Jake held a surprising variety of jobs. He led a tour group in Portugal, delivered newspapers, worked for Ace Hardware, became a landlord, started an asphalt business, sold insurance, and was the maintenance manager for the Bayshore Clubhouse for about six years before his eldest son Jeffrey took the job. Jake retired in his late 70s. For several years, he maintained two houses: one in Knik, Alaska and another in Ajo, Arizona. Jake kept very active in his later years, restoring Studebaker automobiles and completing home and yard improvement projects such as handmaking brick pavers, building a shop, and tiling floors and counter tops. He also enjoyed traveling to beaches in Mexico and making chocolates based on his mother’s recipes.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/tucson-cremation for the Johnson family.