Van was born on October 5, 1930, in Richmond, VA. After one year in Clarendon, TX, Van and his mother and sister moved to Dallas. Van graduated from Highland Park High School, Class of 1948, and he completed a Bachelor of Science in Engineering at Southern Methodist University in 1953.
Van served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Van spent his career as a civil engineer with the Texas Highway Department (later Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation, now Texas Department of Transportation). He supervised construction and maintenance of many prominent Dallas thoroughfares and interchanges. He retired in 1991 after 38 years of service.
Van was a life-long United Methodist. He served faithfully in a variety of leadership positions at White Rock United Methodist Church. In addition to service through his local church, Van served the East Dallas community through the White Rock Kiwanis Club, once receiving recognition as Kiwanian of the Year.
Van was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard Watson James and Annie Maud Van Eaton James; his first wife, of 34 years, Clela Caldwell James; and his sister, Mary Lucile James McKellar.
Van is survived by his second wife, of 32 years, Leila James of Dallas, TX; his son and daughter-in-law, Andy and Christy James of Dallas, TX; his three grandchildren, Peyton James and Reed James of Oklahoma City, OK, and Olivia James of Tulsa, OK; his step-daughter and step-grandson, Megan and Rowan Uttam of San Francisco, CA; many nephews and nieces and a host of friends and loved ones.
A memorial service to celebrate Van’s life will be held at White Rock United Methodist Church (1450 Old Gate Lane, Dallas, TX) on Saturday, July 20, at 2:00 PM. The family invites donations in Van’s memory to White Rock United Methodist Church or the White Rock Center of Hope.
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