GREENWOOD
Charles Francis James, age 87, of Greenwood, passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday morning, March 8, 2018.
Charles was born on July 8, 1930 to Frank and Gayle Cecil (Hacker) James. In 1951, Charles married his wife, La Mona Dell Martin James, who preceded him in death in 1966. Charles worked at Arvin Automotive in Greenwood for over 45 years as an Inspector. He was a 50-year member of the Prospect Masonic Lodge #714, a member of the Moose Lodge #2079, the VFW Auxiliary and The American Legion #252. He was also quite an accomplished bowler in his younger years, spending a lot of time in leagues at The Greenwood Bowling Alley. He enjoyed fishing, was an avid coin collector and loved to travel west to Kansas to visit family and the casinos. He also loved to play horseshoes with his grandson as a partner, as they would always win! He was so happy to spend time with his grandchildren by taking them to get ice cream, going out to eat and attending birthday parties. All of his grandchildren knew him as “Papaw”. Charles was a jokester that left everyone around him laughing. He truly never knew a stranger. His infectious laugh will always be remembered and greatly missed by his family and friends.
Survivors include his two sons, Eddie Cunningham (Jo) of Greenwood and Myron F. James (Sue) of Greenwood; two daughters, Lana Sims (Lynn) of Greenwood and Dawn Tyler (Rick) of Indianapolis; one sister, Sharon Gonterman of North Vernon; 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren and another one due in July.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, La Mona; two brothers, William and Leroy James; three sisters, Virginia Capsey, Norma Hatfield and Judy Unger.
Funeral services for Charles will be on Tuesday, March 13, at 11:00AM at Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service and Crematory-Greenwood Chapel. The family will welcome guests at the funeral home on Monday evening, March 12, from 4:00-8:00PM, with a Masonic Service to begin at 7:00PM, and again from 10:00AM until the time of service on Tuesday morning. Burial will immediately follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Indiana.
You are invited to visit our website at www.wilsonstpierre.com to share a memory, write a condolence or order flowers for the family.
