John Edward James, Jr., 82, of Paducah, Kentucky, passed away on Saturday, October 19, 2019, at the Ray & Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center.
John was born May 15, 1937, in Paducah, Kentucky, to the late John E. James, Sr. and Estelle (Mitchell) James. He worked as a mechanic and maintenance technician at Air Products in Calvert City for 20 years, and at Electric Energy, Inc. in Joppa, Illinois for another 20 years, retiring in 2010. He loved cars, and worked on untold numbers of… automobiles.
He was a member of Southland Baptist Temple for 63 years, where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher for many years. He loved unconditionally, family and strangers alike, and would drop anything to help someone in need.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Anna (Wallace) James; three daughters, Rhonda Smith and husband Bill of Somerset, Kentucky; Dana Wallace and husband Brian of Calvert City, Kentucky; and Kelly Grieco and husband Bob of Gahanna, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Ryan Guill, Ashley Guill, Stephen Smith, Amy (Smith) Rizzo, Abby Smith, Micah Smith, Andrew Grieco, and Joshua Grieco; five great-grandchildren, Lincoln Rizzo, Nolan Guill, Olivia Guill, Sophia Rizzo, and Mason Rizzo; two nieces, Tracy Hodge and Terri Ligon; and a nephew, Troy Ligon.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Edward James, Sr. and Estelle (Mitchell) James; one sister, Carol Sue (James) Ligon; an infant brother; one niece and one nephew.
Funeral services for John will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Rev. Mike Bebout officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Paducah.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at the funeral home.
Contributions can be made to Southland Baptist Temple, 927 Yarbro Land, Paducah, KY, 42003.
You may leave a message for the family or light a candle at www.milnerandorr.com