The Honorable Tom L. James

Justice Tom James joyfully stepped into Heaven just after midnight from his home in Frisco, Texas on March 1, 2024 at the age of 94. Thomas Louis James was born on June 7, 1929 in Amarillo, Texas to Josephyne Mitchell and James Eldon James. Tom was a doer, an optimist, a peacemaker, a political and civic leader, and a difference maker. His natural charisma, sense of humor, and fun-loving spirit brought him many, many friends who he kept throughout his long and productive life.

Tom grew up during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl with his loving extended family in Wichita and Potter Counties. Born in his grandmother’s home, he was raised by his beloved Granny (Sue Mitchell) and his aunt Lois Hamner. After Pearl Harbor, Tom moved to Philadelphia with his mother Jo Milam, stepfather (Army Major A. Leo Milam), and brother Keith James. At war’s end, he attended New Mexico Military Institute and then returned to Amarillo to finish at Amarillo High School with his close friends from junior high school, who became lifelong friends. Tom earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1952 from The University of Texas, where he was a member of Silver Spurs and oversaw the Longhorn football mascot BEVO. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, served as President of the chapter, and later served as National President of Phi Psi.

Upon completion of his undergraduate work, Tom worked at the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank. Subsequently, he moved his growing family to the Oklahoma oil fields and then to Abilene, Texas with Haliburton Oilfield Services. But, by 1953, Tom was ready to move his family back to Dallas to pursue his lifelong goal of practicing law. For the next four years, he worked days as an efficiency expert at Johnson & Johnson and attended Southern Methodist University School of Law in the evenings. While Tom worked his way through college and law school, he and his high school girl-next-door love Joyce Gilstrap James became parents to three daughters—Trenna Sue in 1949, Lois Frances “Candy” in 1951, and Cynthia Jo in 1953.

Beginning his law career in 1957, Tom joined his friend Wayne Melton (with the help of his “adopted younger sister” Diane Dillard) to open Melton & James, Attorneys in Dallas. Later, he was a partner in James, Ingram & Glenn; then Blanchette, Shelton & James; and finally, Blanchette & James until 1994.

For more than 35 years, he litigated cases in Texas and across the nation from California to Connecticut. He was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Always a peacemaker, Tom was one of the first lawyers in Dallas to become a qualified Mediator to mediate cases for the judiciary. He was a Director of the Dallas Bar Association, a Life Fellow of the State Foundation, and Life Fellow of the Dallas Bar Foundation, as well as a Member of the College of the State Bar.

Throughout Tom’s life, he was involved in public service and politics. In his second year out of law school, with the encouragement of Judge and Congressman Barefoot Sanders and Dallas Chamber of Commerce President J. Erik Jonsson (later Mayor of Dallas), he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives and reelected in 1961. In 1960, the House Speaker appointed him Vice Chairman of the interim House General Investigating Committee. He led probes into the breakdown in law enforcement in the Texas Panhandle and of the threat of organized crime in both Potter County and Jefferson County. His investigation in Jefferson County ended decades of payoffs to local law enforcement that had allowed wide open gambling and prostitution throughout the county. That investigation became known as “The James Commission,” and several books have been written about it.

When the Legislature was in session, Tom arrived at his House Chamber desk about 5 a.m. to study the day’s bills, make notes, and draft amendments when appropriate. Once his dogged preparation became known, members often asked him how he would vote. The less-informed members who generally shared his position would vote with him, and those who were less conservative would vote to the contrary. Tom loved politics and remained active his entire life. In 1987-1992, he served as Chairman of the Dallas County Republican Party and was an alternate delegate to the 1988 Republican Party Convention. He was a mentor to many others who sought election or appointment to public office.

After more than 30 years litigating and mediating cases, Tom became a Justice on the Court of Appeals for the Fifth District of Texas in 1995 and served until his retirement in 2004. As a Justice, he authored more than a thousand opinions. Looking back on his appellate court service, he learned to approach a case with an open mind, to read the record himself, and not to rely on a briefing attorney to tell him what the record showed. When he disagreed with colleagues on the judicial panel of three, he didn’t hesitate to write his dissent. However, Justice James conferred with the author of the majority opinion first to be certain his concerns could not be addressed in the majority opinion. His advice to a new Appeals Court Justice, “Support and maintain respect for each other, even with those who disagree with you. Don’t take yourself too seriously.” Upon his retirement from the Court of Appeals, he resumed his law and mediation practice from his office at his country home in northwest Collin County, a role he described as “Country Lawyer.” Since 1953, Tom James gave generously of his time and leadership to many civic organizations, including two terms as Chairman of the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Board member of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Authority (DART), founding Chairman of Dallas Citizens for Love Field, Director of Dallas Council of World Affairs, the Aerospace Heritage Foundation of UT Dallas, steering committee member for the formation of the North Texas Commission and of Leadership Dallas. He was a member and Lt. Governor of Optimist International, the Lions Club, Toastmasters Dallas, Jaycees and many other civic clubs and organizations.

A devoted man of faith and Christian stewardship, Tom was active in every church he attended. He served on the Board of Lovers Lane Methodist Church and taught the senior class. At the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, he served as a Vestryman, Senior Warden, Lay Reader, and Chalice Bearer. He also taught a Sunday school class. He led other friends and family members to Christ throughout his life. His faith was deep, and he shared it generously. Second only unto the Lord, Tom loved his wife Bobbie of 43 years and their large family. In their beautifully blended family, Tom and Bobbie have five children—Sue James Lloyd and her husband John of The Woodlands, Texas; Candy James Rudy and her husband Blair of Blanco, Texas; Cindy James Harper and her husband Kennie of Mechanicsville, Virginia; Cheryl Frances LaDue and her husband Skeeter of Frisco, Texas; and Mark Claude Watson and his wife Darla of Prosper, Texas.

None of Tom’s many roles were more cherished than that of “Big Daddy” to 13 grandchildren and 11 great grands. His grandchildren are Tom and Andrea Lloyd, Chris and Rachel Lloyd, Tom Rudy, Jeremy and Morgan Rudy Grace, Brent and Samantha Bohannon, Weston “Bo” Bohannon, Mason LaDue, Clayton LaDue, Justin LaDue, Presley Watson, Cole Watson, Rio and Jessi Mayo, and Luke and Chantelle Lancaster. Great grands are Madeline Lloyd, Isabella Lloyd, Rebecca Lloyd, Cameron Lloyd, Harper Grace, Zak Rudy, Elijah Bohannon, Michael Bohannon, Olive Mayo, Zephyr Mayo, and Cru Lancaster.

Significant members added along life’s way include “foster daughter” Adrienne Poppe and her husband Oscar, as well as close-as-family friends Jim and Brenda Howard and J.W. Carpenter. Tom’s uncle Gober Mitchell and his granddaughter Robin Mitchell were very important in his life. Precious caregivers Brooke McQuiston, Karen Haigood, and LaTeer Coleman also became part of the family. Dr. Mackey Watkins and his nurse Kim Koiner cared for Tom for decades and lovingly saw him through his final illness.

On Sunday, March 17, a Visitation Reception will take place 4-7 p.m. at Stonebriar Funeral Home (10375 Preston Rd, Frisco, TX), and a Celebration of Life will also be held there on Monday, March 18 at 1 p.m. A private family burial is planned for Tuesday, March 19 at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Faith Presbyterian Hospice (12477 Merit Dr., Dallas, TX 75251) or First United Methodist Church of Celina (12465 FM 428, Celina, TX 75009).