A former foster parent and football coach, James A. Johnsen was devoted to community service, said his wife, Judy. A resident of Arlington Heights from 1977 to 1992, Mr. Johnsen, 69, died of cancer Wednesday, Feb. 11, at home in Fairfield Bay, Ark., his residence for the last 15 years. Mr. Johnsen grew up on the city’s Northwest Side, graduating from DePaul Academy in 1951. He attended the University of Illinois at Navy Pier for one semester, then joined the Air Force. Serving from 1952 to ’56, Mr. Johnsen was based at O’Hare International Airport and in Galena, Ala., where he was a weather forecaster for the military, his wife said. After his discharge he returned to Chicago, earning a degree in physics from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1960. A computer equipment designer, Mr. Johnsen started working for Teletype Corp. in Skokie in 1960. The couple lived in Chicago, Niles and Mt. Prospect before settling in Arlington Heights. While in Mt. Prospect, Mr. Johnsen coached youth football, his wife said. In 1971 Mr. Johnsen and his wife began taking foster children into their home. The couple took in more than 30 children during a 20-year period, adopting one foster child, Michael. Mr. Johnsen retired as project manager at what was then AT&T Bell Laboratories in 1989. Three years later, the couple retired to Arkansas. In addition to his wife and son, survivors include two more sons, Matt and Paul; daughters Jennifer Roennau and Gabrielle; a brother, Ron; and eight grandchildren. A memorial visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in Concorde Banquets, 20922 N. Rand Rd., Kildeer.
