Jim Johnson had been a volunteer for CFD almost all his life with over 60 years of involvement. He received his first taste of CFD when he was very young. His father, Harold F. “Jarg” Johnson would bring him along to volunteer, and he had been hooked ever since. Jarg was a CFD HEEL and his wife was in WHEELS. Jim started volunteering for CFD on the Parades Committee and in 1982 he was made an Assistant for the Parades Committee. Jim had many duties on the Parade Committee including operating the Branding Iron Float and being on the Bomb Squad. In 1985, Jim received the same honor as his mother and father when he became a CFD HEEL.

Jim was always the first to show up with equipment, materials, and whatever else was needed, for multiple jobs around the park. Jim worked rain or shine, even when there weren’t work days. It is difficult to go anywhere on the park without seeing something that Jim built or helped build; from numerous statue bases, buildings, and bathrooms, to installing donated brick pavers. There were many people Jim “wore-out” after his “do-or-die” projects. One Hall of Fame nomination letter for Jim stated, “I remember Jim calling Ken McCann the day after a work day to see if he could help with another project. Ken said that he would love to but that he couldn’t open his hands!”

Jim held many important roles for CFD throughout the years with the most notable being the Parades Committee Chairman from 1995-1997 followed by General Chairman from 1998-2000. After serving as Parades and General Chairman, Jim did not stop volunteering. He became a member of the Concessions Committee and loved every minute of it. Jim also served on the Old West Museum Board and the CFD Board of Directors. He was the president of the CFD Scholarship Fund until he passed in June of 2015.

Jim’s dedication to this organization has encouraged and influenced his entire family and many, many friends to sign up and volunteer as well. Jim instilled his love for the “Daddy of ‘Em All” in his family’s lives and hearts! Jim encouraged his children to be involved by bringing them with him at an early age. His daughter, Tristan, was a CFD Dandy from 1993-1995. She went on to become CFD’s Lady-in-Waiting in 1998 and CFD’s Miss Frontier in 1999. Jake and Travis were always at work days and also started volunteering on the Parade Committee. Travis is now on the Grounds Committee and Jake is on the Parade Committee. Jake was selected as Volunteer of the year for the Parade Committee in 2016, and recently, in 2017, has become a CFD HEEL just like his father and grandparents before him! Jim would have been proud of his children for carrying on his CFD legacy.