Longtime supermarket manager dies

GLENDALE -- Longtime Glendale resident James Johnson, a familiar face at foothill Ralphs grocery stores for more than 20 years, died Wednesday morning at Verdugo Hills Hospital. He was 84.

Johnson, known to most as "Johnny" Johnson, spent much of his life working for Ralphs -- when the company was still family-owned -- and dedicated his career to serving two Foothill locations. Johnson became a store manager for the former La Cañada Flintridge Ralphs -- now Ross Dress for Less -- in 1973, longtime friend and co-worker Charles Beatty said.

When that location closed in 1990, the company did not leave Johnson without a job. By 1991, Ralphs built a store in La Crescenta along Foothill Boulevard and called on Johnson to manage it, Beatty said.

"They built the store for him," Beatty said. "He made millions of dollars and he was always the top manager and producer in the chain all the time."

Johnson, who retired in 1995, was with Ralphs for a total of 50 years and seven days, Beatty said. Johnson beat the then company record of 50 years and two days, held by a former vice president. Johnson still holds that record.

"He was a dedicated servant of the people," Beatty said. "Nobody has beaten that record and I don't think anyone will, personally."

Johnson's face will long be remembered at the La Crescenta Ralphs, friend Danette Erickson said.

"Whenever I would go in, he was always extremely nice and extremely friendly," she said. "Even after he retired, it was a highlight to go down to Ralphs and still find him shopping down there and visiting with people."

Along with his jovial attitude, Johnson will be remembered for his support of local organizations.

"He was very generous," she said. "He would offer donations of food products to many organizations."