James Johnson

Born Sepember 1, 2000, to Paula Jean Salazar Johnson James Johnson; and left this world on Friday, October 6, 2023. Affectionately known as Jr., he grew up in Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo/San Juan Pueblo, attended San Juan Elementary, Los Alamos Middle School and Los Alamos High School.  He was an intelligent, gifted individual.He resided in Los Alamos for the last few years and recently became a partner in the Immaculate Auto Business in Los Alamos.  He was very happy and proud of this accomplishment and other achievements as we were.  James loved the outdoors, camping, 4-wheeling and participating in Tribal activities.  He had a cheerful personality and a beautiful smile.

James was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Tim Salazar, III; and Paternal Grandfather Harold Johnson, Great-Grandparents Jake and Josephine Alarid, Piedad and William Antoine; Close Aunt Pauline Antoine; Aunt Wilma Salazar Martinez and Uncle Orlando Salazar.

James is survived by his mother Paula Jean Salazar Johnson (Joe), his father James Johnson (Sonia), Sisters Vanessa Spanjers (Matt) and Ashley Johnson (Alex); Step Sister Erika Madrid, Step Brothers Josh Gomez and Michael Nunez; Niece and God-Daughter Jerika Johnson, Nieces Xela Martinez, Kiana Spanjers; Nephew Mateo Spanjers; Step Nephews Dominic Nunez and Orion Madrid; Love of his life, Girlfriend Shelby Moore; Grandmothers Bennie A. Salazar and Elidia Johnson; Uncles Dennis Tim Salazar (Bernadette) and Charles Johnson (Matt);  Aunts Jackie Weise (Ken), Patsy Vigil (Gerard), Theresa Paisano (John), Sharon Zook (Dwayne) and Suzanne Johnson; Godfathers Gilbert Alarid and Joe Gomez; and many other relatives and friends.

Services were held on Monday, October 9, at San Juan de Bautista Catholic Church, followed by a traditional Native American Burial at the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo Cemetery.  Pall Bearers were Mike Nunez, Zeke Jones, Clint, Tim and Joshua Salazar, Aurelio Arellano, Jerry Norris, Duane Zook, Kris Sandoval, Matthew Harriman, John Paisano, Anthony Kedge, Nathaniel Kedge, and Kevin Thronas.  A traditional American Indian Burial took place immediately after Mass at the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo Cemetery.   Honorary Pall Bearers are Barbara Christensen, Shelby Moore, Steve Moore, Christine Moore, Isiah “Rabbit” Aylmer, Jordon Hammock, Tina Dalton, Matt Spanjers, Hunter Gustaffson, Jacob and Christopher Serrano, C.J. Valdez, Marvin Vigil, his sisters, nieces and nephews.

We thank DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory and Rivera Funeral Home for their compassionate and professional service.  Special thanks to Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo Tribal Council, Officials, Elders and Fiscales;  Anthony and Amanda Kedge for opening their home for the traditional rituals and meals, everyone who prepared the food;  everyone who visited the Salazar family home, reached out to us, delivered prepared meals; and all who participated in the services and at the burial site; to his business partner Barbara Christensen and Immaculate Auto staff, and the Moore family.