Fred James was born to George and Martha James in Tilford, SD, on September 28, 1929. He grew up in South Dakota, went into the Army in 1946, and was stationed in Panama. He was honorably discharged with a World War II Victory Metal in 1949, and moved to Portland, OR, where he worked the docks and met the love of this life, Juanita Georgia Gibbs. They married in May of 1951, in Yakima, WA.
While living in Washington, their children, Jerry, Terry, and Dianna were born. They then moved to Deadwood, SD, in 1955, and he worked at Safeway. During this time, Larry and Dan were born. While living in Deadwood, Fred and Juanita built their house in Central City, along with being the Mayor of Central City. Their youngest son, Todd, was born after moving to Central City.
He was a religious man with a love for God and was a Deacon in the Church of God of Prophecy in Sturgis for many years. Fred retired from Safeway in 1991. Some hobbies Fred enjoyed were fishing and gardening.
Fred William James, 89, of Sturgis, died Friday, May 3, 2019, at Sturgis Regional Senior Care.
He was preceded in death by both parents; three sisters; four brothers; one son; and his wife of 66 years. Fred will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with other family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Burial with military honors will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
A memorial has been established for Foreign Missions.

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