James Johnson

James Arnold Hoot Johnson, 61, of Hillsboro went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 28, 2008, at his residence. He was born September 21, 1947 in Temple, Texas. Hoot moved to Peoria with his wife and children in August of 1970 and had resided in Hill County since that time. At the age of 23, while working as a lineman for L. L. Flowers Construction Company, he was involved in an electrical accident where he lost both legs and his right arm. After six months of hospitalization and rehab, he returned to work to provide for his family since there was limited compensation for his injuries. L. L. Flowers provided him a minimum wage job and within a short period of time he advanced to purchasing agent. He then became underground electrical superintendent. With the 1975 fuel crisis came the demand to venture into underground water utility construction. Under Hoot's leadership, L. L. Flowers became one of the largest rural water construction companies in the state. In 1982, Hoot went into partnership with Mr. Carmen Rhode and opened the Hillsboro branch of Rhode Construction Company. In 1996, the Hillsboro branch was bought out by Hoot to become Hoot Johnson Construction Inc., in partnership with his three oldest sons. With the development of the Barnett Shale, in 2006 the company transitioned from utility services to the oil field. His achievements in business, though great, could not compare to the role he played as a devoted father, husband, grandfather, brother, son, and friend. One of Hoot's ministries was providing support and encouragement to patients in hospitals where he touched many lives. He was always compassionate, caring, helpful, and generous to those in physical, spiritual, or emotional need. His footprints are on the hearts and souls of the many lives he touched. His amazing testimony and devotion to God and family will leave a legacy that will live forever. Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Lelani Kay Johnson of Hillsboro; father, Hubert Arnold Hoot Johnson and wife, Cindy, of Temple; mother, Marie Tincy Jennings Johnson of Temple; four children, James A. Johnson, Jr. and wife, Lorie, of Lorena, Bryan W. Johnson and wife, Ronda, of Peoria, Russell Rusty Johnson and wife, Michelle, of West, and Jeremy Johnson of Little Rock, AR; two sisters, Nancy Marie Johnson of Leesburg, GA and DeAzia Warren of Temple; step-sister, Alecia Schraeder of Temple; seven grandchildren, Loren, Garrett, Kayln, Hunter, Lexi, Brooke, and Preston Johnson; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of West, 501 North Marable Street, West, TX 76691 or American Heart Association, P. O. Box 15186, Austin, TX 78761.