James Camblin Johnston

Jim's Celebration of Life is scheduled for Wednesday June 3rd, 2015 at 10am at Gillette Memorial Chapel with a pot luck reception to follow at The Moose Lodge. Pastor Brad Scott will officiate the services. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jim's life. James (Jim) Camblin Johnston Sr. passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at his home in Gillette, WY on the night of Thursday May 28th, 2015 at the age of 66. Jim was born on August 21st, 1948 in Gillette, WY to Joseph James and Rosalee Verna (Camblin) Johnston. His parents lived on their ranch in Savageton, WY at the time of his birth. His mother Rosalee had come to Gillette and stayed at the Goings for her last week of pregnancy. His family continued to live in Savageton. When he was 10yrs old his parents sold their ranch and moved to Gillette, WY. Next his parents moved the family to Dayton, WY when they purchased Johnston Locker Plant. Here is where he began to learn about meat processing and how to smoke meats. But due to economic decline his parents closed the processing plant in Dayton, purchased a processing plant in Newcastle, WY and moved the family there. Newcastle is where he first met the Prell family. The most important influence Newcastle brought to Jim's life is this is where he first began his love of coins!!!!! He attended junior high in Newcastle before his family finally returned to Gillette, WY to be closer to his mother's family. While attending high school Jim began working at one of the most favorite jobs he ever had working at the local movie theater and drive-in! Jim graduated from CCHS in 1968. This is when the high school was at the end of Main Street still. Better known now days as Twin Spruce Junior High School. He attended Sheridan College in 1968. In 1969 he met Mary Lou Dillon. They were married on August 21st, 1970. In early 1971 he first opened Johnston Auto Wrecking and Salvage. On May 31st, 1971 he was blessed with his first daughter Golden Crystal Johnston in Buffalo, WY. (First child) Just two years later on December 9th, 1973 he was blessed with his first son James Camblin Johnston Jr. in Buffalo, WY. (Second child) In 1974 Jim met the Love of His Life Pamela Sue Dillon. They were blessed and welcomed their first son Sean Jay Dillon on June 26th, 1975 in Buffalo, WY. (Third child) In 1975 Jim became better known as "DIAMOND JIM" when he became a Diamond Dealer. He traveled all over to trade shows selling & buying diamonds. On August 7th, 1976 Jim and Mary were again blessed with the birth of their 2nd son together Gabriel Geoffrey Johnston in Buffalo, WY. (Fourth Child) A year later on September 7th, 1977 Jim and Pam were blessed on the first on ram into Buffalo, WY with the birth of Merri Spring Dillon their first daughter together. (Fifth child) Only 4 short months later on January 10th, 1978 he was yet again blessed with the birth of Angelique Danielle Johnston his and Mary's 2nd daughter together. (Sixth child) On September 3rd, 1979 Jim and Mary were blessed for the last time with the birth of their last son together Anthony Joseph Squire Johnston. (Seventh child) Mary and Jim divorced in December of 1980. From 1977 to 1985 Jim operated & ran a gun shop within Johnston Auto Wrecking and Salvage. On February 14th, 1981 Jim finally married the Love of His Life Pamela Sue Dillon. Jim lived and ran some sort of business on First Street from the time he was in 9th grade till in 1987 he moved his family out to Nickelson's Little Farms to put roots down in the country. On October 14th, 1988 while the Camels were battling it out on the field for Homecoming Champs Jim and Pamela were being blessed with the birth of Custer Cody Rockwell Johnston their 2nd son together. (Eighth child) Then on Easter Day March 31st, 1990 Jim & Pam were blessed with their 3rd & final son Khristian Evening Star Johnston. (Ninth child) Jim and Pam owned and operated Wolf Pup Enterprises for many years in this time period. On February 6th, 2014 Jim got to meet Sheriff Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor) in Buffalo, WY during Longmire Days. Longmire had become one of his favorite shows to watch. Pam and Jim finished raising all of their children while living in Nickelson's Little Farms. Jim continued to call Nickelson's his home along with his wife Pam at the time of his passing. Over 19 years, the Jim welcomed 9 children into heart and life!! He set about teaching them many different aspects of automobiles from the mechanical working of their parts to completely tearing done a vehicle to its frame. His children remember him as a "Jack of all Trades" who encouraged them to learn new things and to pursue their goals. Jim was an Entrepreneur of many different adventures!!!!!! He was accomplished at many things including being an Artist, an exceptional Poet, and a Certified Diamondologist. He was a COURT CERTIFIED EXPERT ON ANTIQUE and VINTAGE AUTOMOBLIES, WESTERN PERIOD FURNITURE. CONTRIBUTOR TO CATALOGS ON CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTERSTAMPED COINS. 40 YEARS IN AUTO RECYCLING INDUSTRY. DRIVETRAIN REPAIR and REBUILDING EXPERT. NATIONWIDE PARTS LOCATOR. His knowledge of mechanics that was second to none. Jim also had a vast knowledge of Antiques and Collectibles! One of his greatest passions was Coins. Over his life he collected, sold, and traded a large variety of Domestic, Foreign, and Antique Coins from many different places, times, and eras. He was a generous, witty, and dedicated man who loved to be able to help those in need around him in the community!!! He was passionate about researching his family's genealogy and educating his children of their heritage. He was an active and dedicated member of the NRA (Lifetime Member) and the National Newsmatic News. Jim's favorite quote was: SPEAK SOFTLY & CARRY A BIG STICK.... TEDDY ROOSEVELT. Jim is survived by his wife Pamela Sue Johnston of Gillette, his 9 children: daughter Golden Crystal Bradford (her 3 children Amethyst, Amanda, and Joey Bradford) of Gillette, son James Camblin Johnston Jr. of Gillette, son Sean Jay Dillon (his 5 children Chelsea Study, Heather, Christopher, Jayden, and Andrew Dillon) of Lawton, OK, son Gabriel Geoffrey Johnston of Gillette, daughter Merri Spring Stetter (her husband Marvin Stetter & her 4 children MacKenzie Dillon, Corey and Crystal Ott, and Ashton Lujan) of Gillette, daughter Angelique Danielle Jost (her 2 children Micheal and Melodie Snyder) of London, England, son Anthony Joseph Squire Johnston Sr. (his wife Rachel and his 3 children Anthony, David, and Lana Johnston) of Gillette, son Custer Cody Rockwell Johnston of Gillette, and son Khristian Evening Star Johnston of Gillette; his brother Lee Johnston of San Antonio, TX; 17 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; along with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Joseph James Johnston, his mother Rosalee Verna Johnston (Camblin), and his brother Joseph (Jody) Johnston along with many other dear family members. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to P.O. Box 2769 Gillette, WY 82717 or to Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716 in Jim's name. Condolences can be sent to Jim's or Pam's Facebook page. The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers & condolences.Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716