John Lewis James, formally of Trinidad, CO, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2016, surrounded by family.
John was born in Jansen, Colorado on August 30, 1919. His family had just celebrated his 97th birthday.
He graduated from Primero High School in 1939.
John enjoyed being outdoors, fishing the streams and lakes in Southern Colorado . To say he was an avid fisherman would be an understatement. He could tell you what flies to use and where to go if you wanted to catch fish.
He enjoyed the Colorado Rockies and the Denver Broncos.
John owned several businesses in the Trinidad, Weston and Salida areas. After he retired, he took up gold prospecting and prospected several areas in southern Colorado and near Wickenburg, Arizona. He taught himself how to pan for gold and was quite good at his hobby.
John was a coal miner for 27 years, working the Valdez and Allen Mines. He was a member of the UMWA.
John enlisted in the US Army Air Corp which became the Air Force, enlisting right out of high school. He became an accomplished mechanic on airplane engines.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Dominic and Rose James, brothers Ralph, Vince, Joe, sisters Josephine Gettings, Alice Pinkston, Lorraine Alfonso, brothers-in-law, Vic Alfonso, Sam Gettings and Frank Spicola.
He is survived by sisters Rosalie Spicola, Denver, Mitzi Stapes, Arizona, brothers Fred James, Arizona and Jim James, Grand Junction, daughter Kathleen James and partner (Terry Timmons) Clearlake, CA, John (Joann) Colorado Springs, CO, Leonard (Rebecca) ,Thornton,CO, Steve (Peggy), Colorado Springs, CO, Randy, Segundo, CO, Timothy (Genevieve) Colorado Springs, CO, eight grand kids, 5 great grand kids, numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be Friday. October 21, 2016 with Rosary at 9AM at Comi Chapel followed by Funeral Mass at 10 at Sebastiani Gym.
Private family inurnment at a later date.
Arrangements made under the direction of the Comi Funeral Home.
