In Loving Memory of Charles R. James Sr.

Sunrise: November 12, 1938   Sunset: June 2, 2025

A lifelong resident of Dayton, Ohio, Charles was a man of integrity, loyalty, and service.  He was a graduate of the Class of 1957 at Roosevelt High School. His passion early in life was music. He sang in a doo wop group with his brother Ceasar and a local gospel choir (The Sweet Chariot Choir) with his aunt and cousin.  He kept his passion for music his entire life.

Charles was a devoted husband to Sharon, with whom he shared 41 beautiful years of marriage, filled with love and laughter. Together, they built a home that was a sanctuary of warmth and joy. As a father, he was a stern but nurturing presence. His wife and his children were his world.

After serving active duty in the United States Army, Charles switched his dedication to serving the public by joining the United States Postal Service. There he began as a mail carrier for several years before becoming a General Foreman, then Station Manager and finishing as a Manager of Customer Service, along the way earning honors for Outstanding Merit and 17 consecutive years of perfect attendance. After he retired from the Postal Service, he went to work for GE Financial services as a courier until he retired again.

In his personal life, Charles loved to fish and travel. He had many trips fishing from a bank or on a lake with his good friend and mentor Mr. William Maddox.  He was also an avid traveler. Charles and Sharon took many trips (by bus, boat and plane) with their great friends in The Tradewinds Travel Club and was a member of the Kentucky Rendezvous for many years.  He was also a big sports fan following the Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

He is preceded in death by his wife Sharon James, his mother Pauline James, his brother Ceasar James and his father Tyler James.

Charles is survived by his daughter Camille James, daughter Theresa Wells (Dale), son Charles R. (Chuck) James Jr., grandson Marcus Childs-Taylor (Muning), granddaughter Olivia Childs-Taylor, and great-granddaughter Amiyah Childs.

His love, his lessons, and his spirit will forever reside in our hearts. May he find eternal peace, and may we strive to live by his example of kindness and grace.