James "Jim" Kirk Johnson

James "Jim" Kirk Johnson (also known as James Kirk Scarberry) passed away at the age of 83 on August 3, 2026, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, following a long illness.

He was born on February 7, 1943, in Spring Hill, West Virginia, to Kirk Allen Johnson and Bertha (Bays) Scarberry, and was raised with his step-father, Everett Scarberry. In 1963, he married Mary "Ann" Fowler, with whom he shared 28 years of marriage and had three children: Cynthia (Gary) Wallace of Idaho Falls, Idaho, James (Lanie) of the Marshall Islands, and Darren (Lisa) of Idaho Falls, Idaho. He was a proud grandfather to nine grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren (and two on the way). He was later married to Mary Rawsey for approximately ten years.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Mary Merrill of Blacksburg, Virginia; and half siblings, William "Bill" Johnson, Irene Johnson (Riffee), Paula Scarberry of West Virginia and Burnell Scarberry of North Carolina.

A compassionate and witty soul, Jim was always quick with a joke and frequently helped those in need. When he was a teen, he often babysat his younger cousins. They remember him sharing creative stories and playing silly games. In his later years, he played lighthearted tricks on his care-center staff. He brought joy to those around him.

Jim was self-employed for most of his life in the construction industry, a career that took him across West Virginia, Ohio, Florida, Texas, California, and Alaska.

He began as a carpenter's apprentice in Cocoa Beach, Florida, and later joined the Carpenter's Union in Ft. Lauderdale, where he worked on skyscraper condominiums. In Ravenswood, West Virginia, he owned a home insulation and stove business that doubled as a bluegrass dance hall on weekends. His diverse career also included installing storm windows in Garland, Texas, and constructing and managing the windmill park in Palm Springs, California. His true passion, however, lay in remodeling and building homes.

Outside of work, Jim enjoyed reading western books, watching western movies, listening to bluegrass music, collecting coins, and connecting with his great-grandchildren through FaceTime and photos.

Jim became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1974, and his family was sealed in the Washington, DC temple in 1975. He served as a Ward Mission Leader and teacher in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and as a counselor in the Branch Presidency in Ravenswood, West Virginia. He and his second wife, Mary, were active in the St. Albans, West Virginia Ward. Later, in Idaho Falls, he joined friends in worship at the Eagle Rock Vineyard church.

A memorial service will be held at a later date when all his children can be present. Jim will be buried in Central Cemetery in Grant, Idaho.