May 17, 1939 – Dec. 7, 2018

FERRIDAY — Services for Joseph Truman James Jr., 79, of Waterproof, who died Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, at Merit Health Natchez, will be at 10 a.m. today at Young’s Funeral Home in Ferriday with the Rev. Larry Foster and the Rev. Johnny Wilkins officiating.
Burial will follow at Legion Memorial Cemetery in Newellton, La., under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home.
Mr. James was born May 17, 1939, in Ferriday, the son of Joseph Truman James Sr. and Olivia Grant James.
He was a lifelong resident of Waterproof and a graduate of Waterproof High School. He was also a graduate 1961 of Louisiana State University with a bachelor of science degree in agricultural engineering.
James was married to his wife, Frances, for more than 53 years. He was a farmer, a cattleman and the owner/operator of Texas Road Gin Company. He served on a number of boards that included Tensas State Bank for 28 years, Farm and Livestock Credit for nine years, a charter member of Tensas Warehouse, a founding member of Tensas Academy and a member of St Joseph Methodist Church.
James was preceded in death by parents and his wife, Frances Tillman James.
Survivors include one son, Joseph “Jay” Truman James III and wife, Roxanne, of Waterproof; one daughter, Julie Crigler and husband, Bill, of St. Joseph, La.; two grandsons, Jon-Truman James and Ross Crigler; one granddaughter, Hannah James; and special companion, Mona G. Kimball of Baton Rouge.
Pallbearers will be Jesse Clark, Mark Miller, Coy Pace, John Rife, Jon-Truman James, Ross Crigler, Will Manning and Paul Manning.
Honorary pallbearers will be Ben Riser, Bob Manning, Don McGhee Jr., Ernest Barece, Walter Hillard, Earl Bottley, Carl Frank Olds and Earl Ray Guin.
Special thanks to Dr. Barry Tillman and the ER and ICU staff at Merit Health Natchez,
The family requests that memorials be made to Tensas Academy, St. Joseph Methodist Church or to a charity of choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at youngsfh.com.