Thomas Clinton "Stonewall" James, age 83, a dedicated law enforcement officer, turned his badge in for his Wings after a long courageous battle with cancer.
Thomas was born to Artis and Ruth James on April 1, 1938 in Stonewall, Mississippi. He became a resident of Prichard, Alabama at an early age, enjoying the Good Ole Days at Prichard Park acquiring the name "Stonewall" by Jimmy Crawford. His family were members of the Prichard Assembly of God and during this time of his life he asked Jesus into his heart.
Stonewall's love of sports afforded him the opportunity of becoming a lifeguard and swimming instructor at Prichard Pool. He gained many ribbons and awards for his swimming ability.
After graduating from Vigor High School, Class of 1960 and then serving two years in the Army, at which he collected Marksmanship Awards, Thomas started his career as a Prichard Police Officer. He protected and served his beloved Prichard for 28 years. After retiring he worked with the Mobile County Sheriff's Department extending his love of Detective Work in the Cold Case Unit for the next five years.
If you did not know Stonewall thru police work or coaching
all you had to do is visit Quint's Hardware's "Round Table of Old Friends" and he was there...everyday!
Thomas found time outside his career for his love of Tombigbee River fishing, hunting and playing ball for Griffice Printing. In 1971, he met Becky. She loved to fish, hunt and play softball...so the love story began. They were Blessed with three precious sons, Jesse, David and Jody from 1973 to 1980. There was never a dull moment in "The James Gang" home because if they weren't on the water or in the woods, they were found on the ballfields.
For over 20 years, he and Jim Trout coached many a ball player, including their own, from the North Mobile Dixie Youth League area, loving every minute.
Then the grandkids started popping out and Stonewall became a proud "Pop". He always felt his teachings of life's lessons and his knowledge of hunting, fishing and ball playing to his sons and grandkids were one of his greatest accomplishments.
In 2011, Thomas became ill with colon cancer and he fought for five years and won only to develop Lymphoma in 2016 which was incurable. Even though the doctors had grim prognosis for the last five years, Stonewall defied their odds. He never gave up and continued to live his life thru the pain. As he was entered into Home Hospice in March of 2021, Thomas never let that title overcome him.
A few months ago while we were watching an old Western "Forty Guns", he wrote the name of a song from the movie and ask me to find it.
On Monday, January 10, 2022 at 4:37 pm, surrounded by his loving family, we played "God Has His Arms Around Me" and at that time, Thomas Clinton "Stonewall" James took his last breath in the Arms of Jesus.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Becky Rogers James; his three sons, Jesse Thomas James (Janie), David Clinton James (Bronwyn), and Jody Edward James (Jessica); his grandkids, Thomas Clinton James, Cassidy Caroline James, Jaley Rebecca James, Jillian Carol James, Beckham Jack James, Linden Davis (Timothy), Macie Bowden (Brandon Coleman), Jack Bowden, Waylon Bowden and Great Grandson Fisher Davis. Thomas is also survived by his sister, Sue Crane and his brother, Artis E. James (Donna); his sisters-in-law, Jackie Rogers Lawrence, Naomi Rogers Smith and Susan Rogers Jernigan (Paul); many loving nieces, nephews and cousins; and a host of friends.
Thomas was predeceased by his parents Artis and Ruth James, aunts, uncles and cousins; Becky's parents, Jack and Sis Rogers, brothers-in-law Eluid Smith and Jack Lawrence.
Pallbearers:
Jesse James
David James
Jody James
Thomas James
Jack Bowden
Waylon Bowden
Honorary:
Del Williamson
Jim Trout
Ken Murphy
Floyd Slay
Sonny McLeod
Frank Sullivan
Larry Faith
Duckman Kevin Waite
Quint's Round Table of Old
Friends
Retired Prichard Police
Mobile's County Sheriff Dept
April 1, 1938 ~ January 10, 2022 (age 83)
Public Visitation Monday January 17, 2022 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home 6040 Three Notch Road Mobile, AL 36619 Funeral Service Monday January 17, 2022 12:00 PM Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home
