Robert Lew James

MSgt (Retired) Robert Lew James passed on Tuesday, August 30th and entered eternity at 5:45 p.m. He was born in 1931 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee to Rev. Gilbert James, Sr. and Mary Elvira Huddleston of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Robert graduated from Holloway High School, Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He and his new bride Estelle Jordan of Eagleville, Tennessee were married May 13, 1951. Robert enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951 and served for 27 years as an Electronics Cryptographic Maintenance Specialist with the Air Force Strategic Air Command. He and his devoted wife of 71 years and their children traveled extensively with his military career to Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas; F.E. Warren AFB, Cheyenne, Wyoming; Travis AFB and Mather AFB, Sacramento, California; Shaw AFB, Sumter, South Carolina; Andersen AFB, Guam; Ent AFB and Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, Kincheloe AFB, Sault Ste. Maria, Michigan; Vandenberg AFB, Lompoc, California. Robert is a Vietnam veteran where he performed two tours of duties between 1966 and 1968. He completed two isolated tours of duty to Galena Air Force Station, Alaska and Clear Air Force Station, Denali Borough, Alaska. In 1974, Robert retired from the Air Force at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Lompoc, California. During his time in the Air Force, Robert was active with the Air Force Chapel Program where he regularly served with the Protestant Men of the Chapel Program. He attended and graduated with honors from Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria, California in 1974. After retiring, Robert worked for many years at Ampex Corporation as an electronic engineering technician, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Robert loved sports – particularly NFL football and the Denver Bronco’s. He especially enjoyed the years between 1969 and 1974 when his nephew and namesake, Robert James played with the NFL Buffalo Bills team as a defensive back. He enjoyed gardening and was passionate about growing flowers and vegetables until the age of 91. He and Estelle enjoyed performing benevolent services with the church and to the community - always prepared and ready to help others in need. Many times, Robert would be seen helping Estelle around town delivering food baskets and ministering to others. For several years Robert supported Estelle by preparing meals for a well-attended Grief Share Program at Circle Drive Baptist Church. Many workers became acquainted with Robert at Sam’s Club and Costco when he bought food and resources each week for the grief program. Every Monday evening, after shopping, Robert would help cook, coordinate the food boxes and setup the table at the church for those attending the grief share meetings.

Robert was a member of First Baptist Church Security, Colorado Springs, Colorado from 1962 to 1998 and was ordained in October 1965 as the first African-American deacon within the Southern Baptist Convention, by the late Dr. Lewis Adkison, Colorado Springs, Colorado. During that time, Robert faithfully sang in the church choir. Many times over the years, he fondly remembered his time singing with close friends in the choir and hearing each week at rehearsal and before church his very close and dear friend, Jack Lively, affectionately greeting him by saying in a deep rich booming bass voice, “Brother James!” He remembers the special times he was honored to attend Jack’s daughter’s (Anne (Lively) Baldwin husband’s, Maj Gen (Retired) Charles Baldwin pinning on his star.

For the last 20 years, Robert and his wife Estelle attended Redemption Hill (formerly Circle Drive Baptist Church) where he faithfully served as the deacon and recently appointed by his Dr. Mike Routt to be deacon emeritus. He had many friends at church and the community and he will be missed by them.

Robert was a gifted and talented man who enjoyed life and loved his family. He made the family’s first console television and stereo system in the early 1960s. He enjoyed painting, ceramics and always found something creative to make for the home.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Estelle, two children, Dr. Wynona James and Anthony James and grandson Michael James – along with three great-grandchildren, Shyann, Jael and Lucas.

Robert was preceeded in death by his parents, Rev. Gilbert James and Mary Elvira (Huddleston) James; his sisters, Mattie Bea (James) Donnell and Annabelle (James) Jones; brothers, Gilbert James, Joe Willie James, and Zack James.

He has a host of beloved and devoted nieces and nephews: Betty Anne (James) French, Atlanta, Georgia; Mary Arleen (James) Mitchell and husband Don, Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Rita (Donnell) Powell and husband Charles, Indianapolis, Indiana; Janet Jones, Nashville, Tennessee; and Denetris (Lawton) Murrell and husband Robert, Atlanta, Georgia. Nephews: Robert D. James and wife Barbara, Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Kenneth James and wife Frances, Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Robyn (James) Marable, Murfreesboro, Tennessee; David Donnell and wife Camille, Birmingham, Alabama; Stephen Jones, Atlanta, Georgia; and Wayne Jordan and wife Diane, Eagleville, Tennessee. Great nieces: Dr. Lisa French, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Amber Murrell, Atlanta, Georgia; Adrienne (Donnell) Phelps and husband Roland, Houston, Texas; Andrea “Buffy” (James) Plowden and husband Jimmy, St. Augustine, Florida; Rena’ (James) Lawrence and husband Odie; Tiffany Powell, Indianapolis, Indiana; Danielle (Powell) Thomas and husband Terrance, Brownsburg, Indiana; Latrice (Donnell) Freeman and husband. Great nephews: Marvin Richardson and wife Theresa, Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Charles Powell, Birmingham, Alabama; Lucias French Jr, Atlanta, Georgia; Robert James Jr., Esq. and wife Karria and 18 great-great nieces and nephews.

The celebration of life services will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Redemption Hill Church (formerly Circle Drive Baptist Church). Viewing will be prior to the service from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Dr. Mike Routt will be presiding.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MtViewMortuary.com for the James family.