James Henry Janson,
81, passed away in Houston, Texas on Wednesday evening, August 17, 2005.
He was born on September 18th, 1923 in Houston, Texas to Allen & Maude Janson.
Jim served in the United States Navy during World War II and attended the U.S.
Naval Academy in Anapolis, Maryland.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Imogene "Jean" Janson; children Thomas Jay
Janson & wife Linda, Michael Allen Janson & wife Janet, and Leslie Alan Janson & wife
Judy; sister Florice Janson; 7 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 1 niece; 3
nephews; and other relatives and friends.
Friends and family affirmed a life lived well at a Memorial Service for Jim on
Monday, August 29, 2005, at
Salem Evengelical Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas, Rev. David Roschke
officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jim's name to the Building
Fund at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church by mailing a check or money order to 4930
West Belfort, Houston, Texas 77035-3202 or by calling 713-723-3509.
His cremated remains were interred on August 30, 2005, at the
Houston National
Cemetery in Columbarium 6, Niche B-11, with a memorial plaque also planned for
the Family Gravesite in Schulenberg, Texas.
Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated and expressions in cards or notes are welcomed.
Jim will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
June 6, 1945 was a memorable day. I graduated at 1100 and then was married to Imogene (Jean) Hazel Herzik at 1500 hours!
After a 30 day honeymoon in Keene, NH, home of my roommate Bill Reekie, I reported to the LSM(R)511 for duty. Prior to the decommissioning of the 511, I attended the Photographic Interpretation School in D.C. After standing number 2 in the class there, I had hoped for an assignment in Europe where there were tons of aerial photographs to be studied.
However, my next assignment was to an Amphibious Group Staff in Tsing, Tao, China! There I stood Communication Watch Officer watches and was assigned to assist the Intelligence Officer.
There were no photographs to analyze and no planes to fly photographic missions – and I could not get housing for Jean to join me.
I resigned my commission in 1948 and taught math and science at the high school that Jean and I had attended in LaGrange, Texas. This was a great three years, but by this time our second child was about due and I could see that I could not do justice to the family on the salary of a small town school system that paid state minimum salaries.
I then went to work for Shell Pipe Line in Houston, Texas. This was a good move and I enjoyed working for a small company wholly owned by a major oil company. After 25 years with SPLC I was transferred to Shell Oil, the parent company.
I retired after thirty plus years with Shell and spent the next three years consulting in pipeline operations and safety. I then decided that full retirement was my niche in life and I have really enjoyed doing what I please when I want to do it!
Jean and I were able to travel after our three sons finished their schooling and were settled in their work. We were fortunate to be able to visit the places that we really wanted to see during times that were relatively safe and inexpensive. Now, mileage has finally caught up with us and our legs cannot manage the hills and cobble stones.
I keep busy with wood carving and reading. We now find that it takes us so much longer to do our chores that we never get bored because we have nothing to do!
