James H. "Buzz" Johnson, 47

CLAYTON - James H. "Buzz" Johnson of Clayton passed away peacefully Monday, Aug. 27, 2007, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover, surrounded by his loving family, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 47.

Buzz was born Aug. 8, 1960, in Dover, son of Irmgard (Wastian) Stadler and stepson of Joseph Stadler, both of Smyrna. He was also the son of the late Gilbert L. Johnson Jr.

He worked as a production supervisor for General Metalcraft in Dover for 20 years, and later for Trinity Industries, and retired from Sunroc in Dover due to disability.

Buzz was an inaugural member of the Iron Indian Riders Motorcycle Association and a support member of the 1st State Lady Diamonds Motorcycle Association.

He was an avid NASCAR and San Francisco 49ers fan.

Buzz enjoyed pitching horseshoes and was especially fond of babysitting his granddaughter, Jaelyn Johnson of Smyrna.

In addition to his mother, stepfather and granddaughter, he is survived by his wife, Dawn (Ranft) Johnson; two daughters, Jamie L. Carter and her husband Travis of Clayton and Ashley Johnson of Smyrna; a stepson, Timothy Morefield of Davie, Fla.; three sisters, Manuela Samide of Munich, Germany, Diana Shade and her husband Robert of South Bowers Beach, and Debbie Steller and her companion Jeff Campbell of Smyrna; a brother, Fritz Johnson and his companion Norma Atkinson of Milford; a stepsister, Virginia Elliott of Baltimore; an aunt and uncle, Anna and Hayden Leathery of Felton; and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday in the Faries Funeral Chapel, 29 S. Main St., Smyrna, where friends may call two hours prior to the services.

Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Smyrna.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Delaware Hospice, 911 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.