James Lee Abraham was born to the union of the late Thomas and Addie Abraham in Gresham, South Carolina on Nov 19, 1939. James is the 5th oldest of 8 siblings. He was baptized and grew up in St Paul Church. James was personable, loving and never met a person he could not or would not talk to. Always, strong and stoic in nature.
Growing up on the farm, his parents instilled in him hard work, discipline, education, and above all else, God. He attended Terrell’s Bay High School where he excelled in basketball under the keen tutelage of Coach Taft Watson, Montford Point Marine, whom many of the family knows as being inspirational to James’ desire to pursue service in the Marine Corps.
James put service before self. He served in the Marine Corps for 30 years, from 1960 to 1990 and was a highly decorated combat veteran having been awarded prestigious individual and numerous commendation and achievement medals across his distinguished career. During his tour as part of the security force in Sasebo, Japan from 1963-1966, he met Misako Matsuo, in October 1964. On November 10, 1964 he took her to the Marine Corps Ball and they were inseparable ever since as best friends. James married Misako on December 16, 1966 and came to the United States in February 1967.
James was stationed at Quantico, VA, but due to the laws at that time, he and Misako could not live in Virginia. He, Misako, and their oldest son, Danny lived in Baltimore, MD with James' oldest sister Ida Mae Reaves and her family for two years. James deployed to the Vietnam War, where he was a platoon sergeant. After countless missions and within days of his year-long tour being over, he was wounded - shot in the chest during a fire fight, and was later awarded the Purple Heart.
After his recovery, he was sent to Drill Instructor (DI) School, and trained young men to be Marines from 1969-1972. He later transferred to Camp Pendleton, then to Kansas University as the ROTC, Marine Corps, Staff NCOIC, and also attained an Associates Degree in Socialogy during this time. The family transferred to Hawaii for several years and then back to California, this time a little north, in Orange County. James was stationed at VMFA 314 “Black Knights” and MAG-46. In 1988 he became the Base Sgt Maj of Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow, CA, where he retired from service in Aug 1990.
With a passion to continue to serve, he taught in the Orange County School district with mentally and physical challenged children and young adults for 12 years. He fully retired in 2009 at the age of 70. James and Misako kept their affiliation, until this day, with the Marine Corps and military service, attending most every reunion, celebration, or meeting with the Sasebo Marines, Black Marines, Marine Corps Balls, VA, Wounded Warriors, and many more.
James had a passion for golf. He played out of his home course of El Toro, MCAS Golf Course, but he and his countless friends played all over Southern California and throughout the U.S. Other than God, what he loved more than golf, was his family. His immediate family, extended family, Marine Corps family, VA family, golf family, and family of friends.
James is survived by his wife, Misako Abraham; sisters Ida Mae Reaves, Ruth Philips and preceded in death by Onnie Bell Wallace; brothers Henry Abraham, Cicero Abraham and preceded in death by Wilbur Abraham and Cleo Abraham; children Danny Abraham (Tamiko) and Craig Abraham (Chon); grandchildren Cato, Kaleia, Kaniko, Dana, Danae, and Deana Abraham; Aunt Doll; nieces; nephews; and cousins.
Whether you called him Honey, Dad, Grandpa, James Lee, Jim, Abe, or Sergeant Major, he did for you before himself. Thank you for your service to God, country, family and friends. Your legacy lives on in all of us.
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