James was born in 1926 in San Jose, California and was a 1949 graduate of West Point Military Academy. He married Joan Marie Gillette and was a loving father to his children Jim and Sally and had 3 grandchildren. He started his career with Dean Witter Company and progressed through management and was Vice President until his retirement in 1987. He spent his retirement in Rancho Santa Fe the past 30 years. Services will be held Monday, March 14, 2016 at 10:00 AM at the Old Cadet Chapel at West Point Cemetery 329 Washington Rd., West Point New York, where he will be laid to rest with military honors.