Matters of the Heart

Innate skills and ongoing friendship fuel the marriage of Jim and Patrice Johnson

by Kelsey Rasmussen

Jim Johnson and Patrice Weddon both worked at Spadafore’s grocery store and graduated from Stockbridge High School together in 1970. The couple married in 1974. They cannot believe it was 50 years ago!

Over the last five decades they lived in three states, raised two delightful children, started five successful companies and three nonprofits, and moved back to their hometown and Patrice’s family farm. One of those nonprofits is the Stockbridge Community News, which Patrice was instrumental in getting off the ground.

In many ways, Jim and Patrice are still the same teens who learned to build houses and lead organizations. Jim’s building skills were developed as early as high school when he apprenticed with the builder of his family’s home on Cherry Street. Patrice learned to lead and serve through her years in 4H and Student Council and through her love of reading and writing.

Together this couple continues to use their skills and their friendship to work full-throttle in “retirement” to improve the world for others, including their two precious grandchildren.

Advice from Jim and Patrice: Don’t be too hard on yourself or your loved ones.

Photos provided by Kelsey Rasmussen.

Four years after graduating from Stockbridge High School, Patrice Weddon and Jim Johnson were married.

Together, Patrice and Jim Johnson use their skills and ongoing friendship to improve the world for others, including their two precious grandchildren.