James Roland Johnson of Amarillo fulfilled his longing to enter his heavenly home on July 23, 2009. Services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, July 25, 2009 at the First Baptist Church of Canyon with Dr. David L. Lowrie, Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery. Roland was born on September 18, 1921 in Dallas, Texas to Ward Calvin and Elsie Lawhon Johnson. He graduated as Salutatorian from Grand Prairie High School in 1939. From 1942 - 1945, he worked in the War Department at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and the Eighth Service Command in Dallas. He also worked at the Office of Civil Defense Mobilization in Denton, Texas from 1958-1960. After completing his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration at North Texas State University in Denton in 1947, he completed requirements to receive his Master of Business Administration Degree in 1948 and his Doctorate of Education in 1963. He was employed as an Instructor in Business Administration at Arkansas Polytechnic College in Russellville, Arkansas. He taught junior high and high school business courses at North Texas State Laboratory School from 1949-1957. At North Texas State University, he was an Instructor in Business Education from 1957-1963. He was Assistant Professor of Business at the University of Denver from 1963-1964, leaving there to assume an Associate Professor of Business position at West Texas State University. In 1966, he achieved the status of Professor and Head of the Department of Business Education and Office Administration, serving in this capacity until his retirement in 1983. He was also honored as Professor Emeritus at WTAMU in 1992. Roland was an outstanding instructor, not only because of his knowledge, but because of his patience, compassion and genuine interest in his students, often going the extra mile to insure their success. He was awarded the TBEA, District 16, Business Teacher of the Year Award at the University level in 1978. He was recognized for 50 years of continuous service in the Texas Business Education Association. He received the Leadership Service and Academic Excellence Award from the Scribes Honor Society in 1979. On August 24, 1946, in Dallas, Texas, he married his true love, Wilma Virginia Barton of Grand Prairie, Texas, and they enjoyed 63 years of devotion to each other. She preceded him in death on June 5, 2009. Roland was a very patient, wise and devoted husband to Wilma and father to his 3 daughters. He was very active in First Baptist Church of Canyon and within the Canyon community until moving to Amarillo in 2008. While at a brush arbor meeting at 1st Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, Roland made the most important decision of giving control of his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. He was baptized in the Trinity River in Dallas at age 9. He spent his life exemplifying the love and compassion of Christ. Roland enjoyed snow skiing, racquetball, swimming, camping with his family and numerous vacation trips with Wilma. He set a tremendous example for his 6 grandchildren by teaching them what is truly important in this life. Roland was also preceded in death by his parents, 3 of his brothers, and his sister. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Karyn & Ronnie Wooten, of Amarillo, Janna & Mike Wartes, of Canyon, and Roma Starkey, of Tampa, Florida; his brother & sister-in-law, Bob & Pat Johnson, of Grand Prairie; his brother-in-law, Joe Parker, of Grand Prairie; his grandchildren and their spouses, Valerie & Nathan Griffin, of Pflugerville, Garrett & Brittanie Wooten, of Amarillo, Kylee & Chris Hay, of Tyler, Cade & Anne Marie Wartes, of Childress, Zachary Starkey and Ross Starkey, both of Naples Florida; his twin great-grandsons, Carter and Miles Griffin, of Pflugerville; and numerous nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle Roland (RoRo). Memorials may be given to First Baptist Church, 1717 4th Avenue, Canyon, T