Mr. Jesse James, in his 104th year, went to be with the Lord on Sunday morning, December 1, 2019 from Little Rock, Arkansas.

Mr. James was born October 10, 1915 to Luler Ford and Andrew James in the town of Pascoe, in the State of Oklahoma.  He was a member of the Baptist denomination from beginning to end.  He married Elizabeth Hill and to this union, five sons were born;  Jesse James, Jr., who died as an infant, Frank A. James, Lawrence P. James, Marcellous Leo James and Rudolph [Randy] Elijah James.  Jesse also fathered children with Ethel Mae;  Andrew James and Kelley James.  His pro-creation was not yet complete for later he and Jean Wright produced three daughters;  Katrina, Ann and Lynn.

Jesse James worked for many years with the rail road across many states in the mid-west and the west before settling down in Neosho, Missouri.  He became skilled in construction work and also worked for the city of Neosho and was a long time employee of Joe Roarck, a local millionaire.

He generated a lawn care business in his later years as a source of income which he continued until retiring at about 96 years of age.  He lived alone in Neosho until being convinced by hos sons to move to Arkansas where he lived with his son, Lawrence in Jacksonville and then with his son Frank in Little Rock until he required more continual care than he could receive in the home environment.  He was then housed at Cumberland Elderly Care facility, where he remained until God called him home.  At Cumberland, Jesse spent countless hours beating other guests at Cumberland in checkers.  If you were near the contest you could hear him say, "your push."

For many years, Jesse was the centerpiece at many of the James family reunions that were held in many cities around the U.S., including Springfield, Missouri, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Memphis, Tennessee, and Rochester, New York.  He enjoyed a long and richly rewarding life.  Jesse James spent his final days with frequent visits from family and friends before his time ended on earth.

Mr. James leaves to cherish his memory;  five sons, Dr. Frank A. James [Dr. Brenda], Little Rock, Arkansas, Lawrence P. James, Jacksonville, Arkansas, Marcellous Leo James, [Melva], Springfield, Missouri, Randy Elijah James [Linda], Whiteville, Tennessee, Andrew James, Neosho, Missouri;  four daughters, Kelley James, Plano, Texas, Katrina James, Neosho, Missouri, Ann James, Independence, Missouri and Lynn James, Kansas City, Missouri;  a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

The Sacred Farewell for Mr. James will be on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 1:00 PM in the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1500 North Miami Avenue in Okmulgee.  The Pastor, Dr. D. M. Currington, is the gracious host.

You may visit Mr. James, as he slumbers in peaceful repose at the funeral home on Friday from 12 Noon until 6:00 PM.

Burial will be at a later date, due to the rain and grounds at the cemetery.