Mark Allen James

Mark A. James (52) of Chamblee, Georgia passed away November 7th, 2024 at home. Born in 1972 to Dick and Louise James of Guthrie, Oklahoma, Mark spent his childhood in Woodward, Oklahoma. His mother often said he was born with a set of car keys in his hand. After his football career at Woodward High School, focusing on fast cars and the defense line, Mark went on to study at Oklahoma State University (1995), Masters from California State University (2002) and Masters (2012) in crisis management and Doctoral studies at the University of Oklahoma.

In 1999, Mark married Cora Imus in Redding, California. Together, they shared children JuliAnn James, Oklahoma and Logan James, Georgia.

A trip to the OU/Texas game led Mark to a career in sales. He lived in Dallas, Sacramento, Oklahoma, St. Petersburg, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia and worked for Bisco Industries, Worth, and Century Fasteners. He often joked to his children he sold parts for every airplane they had ridden on.

Mark is survived by son, Logan (Chamblee), daughter, JuliAnn (Norman), the mother of his children, Cora James (Baltimore), sister, Barbara Menefee and her husband Rick (Blanchard), nieces McKenzie (Stillwater) and Ryen Menefee (Blanchard). Uncle Larry James (Tulsa) and Aunt Lisa James Cowen, dear Oklahoma cousins, Jim Roane, Stephen Roane and Stephanie O’Neil and many others and numerous friends from one side of the continent to the other.

Mark had an affinity for the ocean. He was a certified Master Diver and was moving to Belize in 2025 to follow that dream. He enjoyed his larger than life African Cichlid tank, hunting for mid-century treasures and making his Corvette rumble loud enough to disturb the neighbors. He adored the ladies and thin crust pizza but hated Pepsi Cola, if you know, you know.

Juli and Logan were truly his pride and joy. He loved every stock show and football game he was able to attend. After one conversation with Mark, you knew how deeply he cared about his children.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mark lived fast, loved hard and died young and left beautiful memories. He is in every sunset at St Pete Beach and forever lives in the reefs of Tampa Bay. There will be a Celebration of Life in both Oklahoma and St. Petersburg to follow.