I am nominating James “Jim” Johnson to the EDGETA Hall of Fame for his 30 years of leadership and participation in our hobby.
Jim is a charger member of Northwestern Washington’s EDGETA Branch 26 formed in 1988. He is also an active member of Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion, at Rollag, since 1980 and a long time member of Puget Sound Machinery & Tractor Association in Lynden, Washington.
Jim’s spent 35 years as an electrical, 15 years as a field supervisor for the third largest electrical contractor in Washington State. His professional skills have been generously utilized at various EDGETA show grounds.
Jim has been active in the EDGETA Branch 26 Mid-Winter Gas-Up (2010 being the 27th) organizing committee and promoting the show since its beginning 27 years ago. For 2 years before Branch 26 hosted the 2008 Nationals Jim attended All events in Washington, Oregon, and Northern California promoting the Branch 26 National.
Jim brought the ¾ scale Otto-Langen engine from Rollag (he is ½ owner with Kevin Withers) which became the FEATURE engine for Branch 26 EDGETA 2008 National.
In addition to displaying his large collection of New Way Engines (known as Mr. New Way across the US, United Kingdom, and Australia) he is constantly encouraging and solving problems from New Way owners worldwide.
Jim believes the youth must be involved in our hobby for it to survive. He has been very active in encouraging young members into our ranks by offering them the ability to adopt and care for a quality engine under his supervision. During the EDGETA Branch 26 Nationals, Jim gave a personally funded recognition plaque to one on outstanding young members. This is characteristic of Jim’s style; quietly and patiently leading by example.
At Rollag, Jim’s 1990 funding revived the Collector Series Engine Oil Cans given to engine exhibitors, in 2005 he provided the materials and labor for new lighting in the Otto Building. Jim was also on the organizing committee for the 2005 Otto Expo and is the New Way Expo 2011 Committee Chairman. In 2009 his family funded a new 100’ x 60’ building for engine exhibitors – “Johnson Brothers Gas Engine Pavilion” and new concrete base and building addition for the 200hp Miller Engine.
At Lynden, Washington his next venture in 2010 is co-chair in the rebuilding of the 1983 Gas Engine Building. Jis one of 10 owners in the Gas Engine Building and his space was purchased from his good friend and mentor EDGETA Hall of Fame member Charles “Chuck” Watters.
I know James “Jim” Johnson will continue to promote and lead by example in his quiet manner and should be recognized as a member of EDGETA Hall of Fame.
Submitted by Morrie Robinson, Branch 26, NW Advisor