James was the second oldest of eleven children born to Bernard and Agnes Fortinberry.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Montez of Orlando, his three children, Jim (Dana), Dianne, and Eric (Renee), also his grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings Loland (Lois), Ruby Roberson, Esther Morgan, and Ethel Alewine, and numerous nephews and nieces.
James was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Leonard, Luther, Leland, and Lewis, and two sisters, Rosa Adams and Ruth Thacker.
He graduated from seminary in 1958 and was a pastor for the next 22 years before transitioning to associational work then state convention, crisscrossing the United States in Baptist work as well as ministry trips to Africa and Australia. After retiring from the convention in 1995 he returned to pastoral work for 20 more years.
James was an active man and loved sports, playing softball into his sixties and golf up to the age of ninety. He also loved watching his kids, his grandkids and his great grandkids play sports, especially football. He loved the New York Yankees, the Orlando Magic, Florida State and Southern Miss Football.
He enjoyed being with people in general, he loved to lead people to faith in Jesus Christ, wanted his life to be a faithful witness to the Lord, and he loved to preach the gospel. His life was dedicated to serving the Lord and hundreds, if not thousands, were impacted over the course of his 70-year ministry. For years he kept a record of all the people that he had baptized, married and buried.
Visitation will be at 10:00 AM on the 20th of April 2024 at Dover Shores Baptist Church and the funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. The service will also be live-streamed on YouTube. If preferred, in lieu of flowers a donation may be made to Dover Shores Baptist Church or the Florida Baptist Children's Homes. There will be a basket in the foyer for those who would like to leave a note expressing their memories of Dr. Fortinberry for the family.
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