James was born on in Warren County, Iowa. He attended Thorn Country School. He was united in marriage to Lois Darlene Chumbley on November 10, 1940. They moved to Indianola where James went into business at the blacksmith shop with his father. He and Darlene started the "Dixon Country Band" and played at various venues around Iowa. James sold his shop to Kenny Champlin and retired. James filled his days playing pool, visiting family and neighbors at McCord Manor and working on fiddles. In February 2005, James became ill and after a short hospital stay moved to the Regency Care Center in Norwalk, Iowa.

He leaves to mourn him, his sis, Verna (Susie) King of Norwalk; nieces, Peggy (Gary) Carpenter of Winterset, Gloria (Gary) Pottorff of Indianola and Joy (Marvin) Brown of Hope Mills, NC; sisters-in-law, Doris Powell of Woodburn and Mabel Wilkerson of Norfolk, VA; brother-in-law, Garold (Betty) Chumbley of Milo; nieces, Maxine, Betty and Sue Clemons and nephews, Gary and Jody Chumbley. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Darlene.

Visitation will be held 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20 at Overton Funeral Home where family will be present to greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Memorials may be given to the Indianola High School Orchestra Department.