Obituary for Clifton Tular James Sr.
Clifton Tular James Sr., 75, of Norfolk Virginia peacefully passed away Saturday, March 21, 2020 at DePaul Medical Center.
He was born March 23, 1944 to late Charlie James, Sr. and Addie Mae James. Besides his parents he is also predeceased by three brothers Raymond James (wife Sandra), Charlie James, Jr. (wife Evelyn), Lee Otis James and one sister Mary Dozier (husband Albert).
Clifton James attended Crestwood High School in Chesapeake, VA. During his twelfth grade year in the 1960’s he became the first African American Front-End Cashier for Swann Market. Through his caring and witty personality, he assisted in breaking racial barriers during such a segregated time period. After several years he began working for DePaul Medical Center as an Environmental Service Technician, in which he worked for 30 years. Clifton James retired from DePaul in 2007.
Known to many as “Daddy James,” he was also a long time member of Healing Word Fellowship Church. Daddy James had a great love for his family and a passion for spreading love. His compassion and love was shared with everyone he encountered and every member at church. One of the highlights of Daddy James’ week was to speak to every member and visitor that he could every Sunday at church. There was not a Sunday that you would not see him greet and hug everyone as they exited the sanctuary or entered the hallway of the church.
Daddy James was also well known within the community. He could tell you your family lineage from a short conversation, from your parents, siblings, other family members, and even their friends. Daddy James was also known as the neighborhood father and grandfather. All of his children and grandchildren’s friends respected Daddy James as a father and grandfather figure.
Clifton James, Sr. is survived by one brother, Albert James (wife Shirley), two sisters, Betty Gray, Mabel Speller (husband Rufus), Ex-Wife, Janice James, Four Sons, Clifton James, Jr. (Fiancé Sherelle Thrane), Jermone James, Sr. (wife Keesha), Jermaine James (wife Tamika), Timothy James, Sr. (wife Liquita), two daughters Tameka James, Ebony Freeman (husband Kendrick), fourteen grandchildren, Jermone James Jr., Jeremiah James, Destiny James, Micah James, Jaylan James, Jayla James, Timothy James, Jr., Aliyah James, Kristian D. Hedgepeth, Elijah James, Christina James, Harmony Grimes, Kennedi Freeman, Kendrick Freeman Jr., and a host of nieces, nephews, church family, and friends.
The love that was displayed by Daddy James will continue to be displayed through The James Family. His Legacy will continue through his children and grandchildren.
There will be a Public Viewing Saturday, March 28, 2020 from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm and a streamed funeral service Monday, March 30, 2020 at 11:00 am.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held as soon as it is safe for us to gather.
He was born March 23, 1944 to late Charlie James, Sr. and Addie Mae James. Besides his parents he is also predeceased by three brothers Raymond James (wife Sandra), Charlie James, Jr. (wife Evelyn), Lee Otis James and one sister Mary Dozier (husband Albert).
Clifton James attended Crestwood High School in Chesapeake, VA. During his twelfth grade year in the 1960’s he became the first African American Front-End Cashier for Swann Market. Through his caring and witty personality, he assisted in breaking racial barriers during such a segregated time period. After several years he began working for DePaul Medical Center as an Environmental Service Technician, in which he worked for 30 years. Clifton James retired from DePaul in 2007.
Known to many as “Daddy James,” he was also a long time member of Healing Word Fellowship Church. Daddy James had a great love for his family and a passion for spreading love. His compassion and love was shared with everyone he encountered and every member at church. One of the highlights of Daddy James’ week was to speak to every member and visitor that he could every Sunday at church. There was not a Sunday that you would not see him greet and hug everyone as they exited the sanctuary or entered the hallway of the church.
Daddy James was also well known within the community. He could tell you your family lineage from a short conversation, from your parents, siblings, other family members, and even their friends. Daddy James was also known as the neighborhood father and grandfather. All of his children and grandchildren’s friends respected Daddy James as a father and grandfather figure.
Clifton James, Sr. is survived by one brother, Albert James (wife Shirley), two sisters, Betty Gray, Mabel Speller (husband Rufus), Ex-Wife, Janice James, Four Sons, Clifton James, Jr. (Fiancé Sherelle Thrane), Jermone James, Sr. (wife Keesha), Jermaine James (wife Tamika), Timothy James, Sr. (wife Liquita), two daughters Tameka James, Ebony Freeman (husband Kendrick), fourteen grandchildren, Jermone James Jr., Jeremiah James, Destiny James, Micah James, Jaylan James, Jayla James, Timothy James, Jr., Aliyah James, Kristian D. Hedgepeth, Elijah James, Christina James, Harmony Grimes, Kennedi Freeman, Kendrick Freeman Jr., and a host of nieces, nephews, church family, and friends.
The love that was displayed by Daddy James will continue to be displayed through The James Family. His Legacy will continue through his children and grandchildren.
There will be a Public Viewing Saturday, March 28, 2020 from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm and a streamed funeral service Monday, March 30, 2020 at 11:00 am.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held as soon as it is safe for us to gather.