Harold A. James, 82, of East Ridge, originally from Liverpool, England, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 17.
Harold was in the British Royal Navy during WWII and immigrated to the US with his family in 1954. Harold was very active in the Dixie Youth Baseball Association and the Chattanooga Golden Gloves Boxing Association. Harold also refereed high school and college soccer in the Greater Chattanooga Area. He loved our city.
Harold was employed with Chris Craft Corporation for 28 years, was self-employed with his sons, and retired from Lake Winnepesaukah.
Nothing in Harold’s life was as important to him as the well-being of his family. Harold was a very devoted husband and father and the foundation of our family. Harold was a member of Jones Memorial United Methodist Church.
Harold was preceded in death by his daughter, Lynn James Knowles of Kennesaw Ga., grandson, Toby King of East Ridge, his parents, Catherine and Albert James, brother, Stanley James and sister, Hilda Johnson of Liverpool, England.
Harold is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Irene; daughter, Dot King of East Ridge; son, Steve and wife Monica James, of East Ridge; son, Chris and wife Andrea James, of Ringgold, Ga.; eight grandchildren, Tina Bedwell, of Kennesaw, Ga., Al Knowles of McDonough Ga., Dana Welch and husband Tom of Kennesaw, Shaun King and wife Laura of Etowah, Tn. Emily and Devon James of East Ridge; grandson, Colin James of Ringgold Ga.; eight great-grandchildren, Kristofer, Grayson and Kathryne Welch of Kennesaw Ga., Taylor, Morgan and Hannah Knowles of McDonough, Ga., Nathan and Jackson King of Etowah, Tn.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home. Harold's grandson, the Rev. Shaun King of First Baptist Church of Etowah, will officiate.
Harold will be laid to rest next to his grandson, Toby King at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in East Ridge. Pallbearers will be Richard Appleby, Jay Bell, Tony Boydston, Bruce Campbell, Jonathon Cole, Lamar Long, Paul Smith and Eric White. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Nelson, Joe Nelson, Tom Gordy, Lindy Pate and Tom Welch.
The family will receive friends from 4–7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.
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Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home – East Chapel, 404 South Moore Road.