John D James

John D. James was born in Tifton, Georgia on August 30, 1938. He went to be with the Lord on March 25, 2024.

John was baptized at the age of nine. He was a son, a loving husband, a father, a grandfather ”Paps”, truly a man’s man, a HERO and Patriot to all of us that knew him. He served for seventeen years in the US Navy and was a proud submariner. During his time in the US Navy, he was selected to be part of the Polaris program, the first nuclear submarine program. He was part of the Cold War and Cuban Missile Crisis. During this time, he met Mary Jane Skinner and they were married in Monroeville, Alabama on June 21, 1962.

After leaving the US Navy, he had a brief stint working for Texas Instruments on one of the first computer chips. He then became a Dallas Police officer where he retired from the Dallas Police Department after nineteen years of dedicated service. He served in multiple departments throughout his career, during this time he earned his Bachelor’s Degree and his Masters Degree in Criminology. He was a well-respected officer and pillar in the community. After retiring from the police department, he and a partner started a private investigation firm. They worked many important cases until his second retirement.

He lived out the rest of his life on his ranch with Mary Jane. They hosted many exchange students from around the world. He loved working with cattle, fishing, hunting, going to the “coffee shop” and most of all spending time with his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Francis Lemuel James, his mother, Doris R. James, his brothers, Michael “Mickey” and Charles Frances “Charlie” James, his son, John Wesley James and son-in-law Jimmy Pope. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane James, sister, Patricia Bell, daughter, Rebecca Pope, son, William and wife Breanna James, daughter-in-law Amy James along with his ten wonderful grandchildren and one great-grandson.

He was an honorable man who always did the right thing. He will be dearly missed by all his friends and family. We will be celebrating John's life at Celeste First Baptist Church, 203 W. Cockrell St., Celeste, Texas on April 27, 2024, visitation will be at 1:00pm, service at 2:00pm and fellowship to follow service. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate that you consider a donation to Assist the Officer Foundation or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.