ACADEMY (February 18, 2012)—Longtime Academy ISD school bus driver James Johnson, 71, was laid to rest Saturday, nearly a month after he was badly injured in a collision between his bus and a Lowe’s delivery truck that sent 29 students and two other adults to area hospitals.

Johnson’s funeral was held at the First Baptist Church of Academy Saturday morning.

In honor of Mr. Johnson and his number seven school bus, seven Academy school busses led the funeral precession to the Sunshine Cemetery in Holland where he was buried.

He died at around 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon almost a week after he was removed from life support.

His wife, Susie Johnson, told News 10 that her head was lying on her husband’s chest when he took his last breath.

Susie Johnson had maintained a vigil at her husband’s bedside at Scott & White Hospital since the accident on Jan. 17.

Although Johnson had remained unconscious since the accident, family members were initially hopeful he would recover.

Earlier this month he underwent reconstructive facial surgery and doctors also placed drainage tubes to relieve fluid pressure on his brain.

But Johnson took a turn for the worse and doctors told his family there was no hope for recovery.

Johnson worked for the school district for 27 years.

Johnson and student Haley Johannsen, 14, were the most seriously injured of the 29 students and three adults who were taken to hospitals after the crash at the intersection of FM 93 and Old Highway 95.

Johannsen is now recovering.

Johnson’s family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the fund created for the injured teenager.

Memorials can be made to Haley Johannsen Benefit at BBVA Compass Bank 1315 South 31st Street Temple, Texas 76504.