Ralph Oldridge

James, Sr.

Family Reflections (written by the daughter, Vanessa)

On February 7, 2015, my Dad, Ralph Oldridge James, Sr. made his transition to be with the Lord at the age of 92. Dad, known to those who knew and loved him as "Bill" was born in the Rockville Community in Jackson, Alabama on December 27, 1922. From the age of two he was raised by Ethel Nichols White (Bugg to all of us and his uncle Anthony "Joe" White), his aunt and maternal grandfather, Frank Nichols. At age 12, his father Denis Nicholas James, returned to get him after years of working for the railroad as a cook. The two went on to live for a while in Pensacola, FL where my grandfather owned and operated a small restaurant.

When Dad turned 17, the pair relocated to St. Louis, MO. Dad attended Vashon High School where he met my mother, Mabel Thompson. They both graduated from Vashon and later married at the St. Louis City Court House on June 8, 1944. I was born twelve years later, their first. A year and a half later, Ralph Jr., my little brother was born.

Dad served this country honorably in the Army where he elevated to the rank of corporal. He was in active duty, in Germany during World War II. After his discharge, he would tell of his experiences of returning home and fighting a far more different and scaring war against him: racism in the country he had sacrificed his life to defend. Unfortunately being trained in the Army wasn't enough because he was unable to find a job as an office assistant. He returned to school to earn his credentials as a boiler maker and worked at Gillespie Construction in St. Louis for nearly 15 years alongside my grandfather and grand uncles Benjamin James and Young David "YD" James. Howe. In 1964 and with the not so subtle insistence of my mother, Dad reluctantly accepted a position as an assembly line worker for General Motors Plant in St. Louis which as it turned out, for nearly 30 years he was well suited. In his spare time he loved cars and restoring them to what he joked was their "original glory".

Dad was an unassuming man. He worked and earned the life he provided for my mother, my brother and me. Admittedly, he was the "fun" parent. He loved an adventure, he loved great ideas, and he encouraged, respected and supported our dreams and ambitions. There was never a question that he wanted more for me and my brother than he ever wanted or dreamed for himself, and I grew up knowing without a doubt that he always had my back.

After nearly 60 years of marriage, Dad was preceded in death by my mother in 2012 and my younger brother (Ralph Jr.) in 2013. By my grandmother Olga Icy Nicholas-James when he was only two and my grandfather in 1972. His Aunt Bugg, who stepped up and stepped in as his mother. He always acknowledged the pivotal role she and his grandfather played in his life as a child. His cousins, whom he grew up with as siblings, Helen White Hosley, Frank White, Ruth White Ferguson, and one devoted uncle, Randolph "Bunk" Nichols.

In our family's unwavering faith and the Grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Dad will live for generations in our memories and in our hearts and through the legacy he continued throughout the family. He is survived by me, Vanessa James-Gordon, his granddaughter Jehan "Hans" Gordon-Hinkles and her husband Cedrick, grandson Nicholas "Nic" James-Gordon, and his son-in-law, Anthony "Tony" Gordon. He was blessed to meet his great grandsons, Austin James Hinkles and Logan Price Hinkles.

He is also survived by his cousin, who he described as being like his baby sister, Hazel White Blunt and a generation of cousins who have all had the experience in their lives of Dad's free and generous spirit. Dad made it clear that he wanted to return home to Jackson Alabama when that day came. My cousins, Gwendolyn Wheeler and her husband James, Diann White, Oscar Houseman and his wife Bridgett, Michael Houseman and his wife Trudi, Donna Hosley Fair and husband Raymond, and Derrick Blunt, and Janet Blunt have all honored him in making that happen.

Graveside services will be held Friday, February 13, 2015, 2pm at Cobb Hill Cemetery on Christian Valley Road in the Rockville Community of Jackson, Al. Military rites at graveside. Condolences to the family at www.andrewsfuneralhomejackson.com and on Andrews Funeral Home Facebook page. Andrews Funeral Home, 800 Depot Road, Jackson, AL. "Our Family Honored To Serve Your Family"