Laurence Leland James

Major James served in the United States Air Force for over 20 years, he then worked for the United States Navy teaching on Navy ships at sea. He achieved countless awards during his many years of service. During his Air Force career he was a morse code interceptor during Vietnam and navigator for C130. Laurence was an english professor at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and later taught at North DeSoto. During his free time he became a 32 degree Mason. Laurence loved to explore the world and read to gain knowledge from abundant sources. He was a kind, funny man who loved his family dearly. He taught all of his nieces and nephews how to play chess and shared with them his life experience. Laurence really could tell a story like no other.

Laurence joins in Heaven his parents; wife, Linda; and son, Philip.

Left to cherish his memory is his daughter, Wendy James; son, Ken James; grandson, Ian Trachta; sister, Patricia West and her husband Joe; and numerous nieces, nephews, great- and great-great- nieces and nephews.

Services for Major James will be held Friday, October 4, 2024 beginning at 10am at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be held prior to services on Friday from 9am until 10am. Interment will immediately follow services at Hill Crest Memorial Park.

Honoring Laurence as pallbearers will be Joe West III, Dayton West, Seth West, William Wood, Ronnie Toney, Justin Toney, Jerry Dale English and Daniel English.

The family would like to give a special thanks to all the doctors, nurses and caretakers that cared for Laurence and the staff of Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home and Park for their help during this difficult time.