Mr. Lee R. James

Lee Roy James - born December 14, 1923 in Cuevas, Ms. Family moved to Gulfport, MS. upon the death of William Denning James, Lee’s father in around 1926 or 1927. Lee attended school in Gulfport and graduated from Gulfport High School in 1942. Besides participating in school sports, he was also a drummer in the Gulfport High School Band. He was in his first year of college when he joined the Army Air Corps in April 1943. and entered the Aviation Cadets pilot training. As Second Lt. he was a co-pilot on a B-17 Bomber he was assigned to the 305th Bomb Group, 365 Bomb Squadron, at Chelveston England. Their plane was shot down on their 9th mission over Germany on September 11, 1944. He was a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft I, Barth, Germany. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Metal and other incidental awards that accompany combat in World War II. Work history: After discharge from Army Air Corps in December 1945, went to work for the City of Gulfport as a clerk. After a year he went to work for Universal CIT and worked there for 2 years. He lived in Gulfport until going to work for Associates in New Orleans; was transferred back to Gulfport to the Associates office in Gulfport after 4 months in New Orleans. In 1955 transferred to Montgomery, AL., then to Gainesville, GA. where he lived until 1959, then transferred to the Atlanta office of Associates. Was made Branch Manager and moved to Albany,Ga. in 1963 to open a new office for Associates. He retired in 1987. Lee is survived by his wife of 69 years, Palma Allene Ryland and children: Children: Dennis Ryland James – Born November 21, 1947 Wife - Marcie. Lives in Centerville, Utah Terry James Allen - Born June 3, 1951 Husband = Steve Lives in Lawrenceville, Ga. Lee Roy James, Jr. - Born October 31, 1953. Wife – Lori - Lives in Raleigh, N.C. There are nine grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren . He is preceded in death by a brother and a sister. A member of First Presbyterian Church in Albany for 41 years and is has been a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Albany He has served as a Deacon and an Elder in both churches and is presently Elder Emeriti at Covenant Church. He is a member of the Golden K Kiwanis Club, the Flint River Golf Course, the Southwest Georgia Prisoners of War. At one time he served on the Sowega Council of Aging’s Advisory Board. He was an avid golf player, loved to fish, travel and play bridge. He was at one time the only 5 letter man in athletics in the school history of Gulfport, MS. High School He considers as one of his greatest accomplishments his three children’s success in athletics and their being inducted into the Albany Sports Hall of Fame. His funeral service will be held Friday 11:00AM at Covenant Presbyterina Church with entombment to follow at Crown Hill Mausoleum. Dr. William “Biff” Coker will be officiating. The family will receive friends at 10:00AM one hour before service at Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Lee R. James

December 14, 1923 - January 12, 2016