James received his education in Hanover County at John M. Gandy School.  He then joined the Army after graduating high school and was Army proud.  He served as a mechanic in the Army and then worked for Richfood for 36 years as a forklift operator.  James accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age and joined the Abner Baptist Church, where he attended on a regular basis.  He joined the OASIS Ministry which he loved attending.

On November 27, 1971, James was joined in holy matrimony to Mattie Mae Jackson who he loved dearly.  Out of that union came their daughter, Katina Dyer, who he loved and spoiled.

James loved working and fixing up his automobiles and watching sports, especially football.  His team was the Washington Redskins.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Mattie; daughter Katina Dyer; two granddaughters, Amya and Gracias Alexander; three sisters, Betty Wood, Dorothy Bragg and Helen Edmond (Julius); six sisters-in-law, Hazel Lewis, Alberta Thompson, Sallie Jackson, Letra Clark, Thelma Rose (Donnell) and Linda Comfort (Archie); two brothers-in-law, Howard Jackson (Artie) and Lester Jackson (Bernice); two aunts, Maude Dyer and Jean Dyer, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends.