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January 11, 2011

John W. James, 87, Pineville, La., passed away in the Veterans Affairs Hospital and Medical Center on Tuesday, January 11, 2011. He had been a patient at the VA Hospital since October 2008.

He was born on May 28, 1923, in Plymouth, a son of the late William R. and Clara (Rowe) James. He graduated from Plymouth High School, Plymouth, and the University of Miami, Miami, Fla.

John served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, on the cruisers USS Omaha and USS Savannah, and the aircraft carrier Tarawa. His life was spent in sales and business management for Schlitz Brewing Co. and Hitchcock Leather Co., among others in various states. He was last employed as the manager of a wholesale beer and liquor distributor in Alexandria, La.

John enjoyed golf, fishing – both in the South and in Minnesota, and visiting family and friends in Pennsylvania and Minnesota. His warm, outgoing and friendly personality made him lasting friendships in all the places he lived and worked.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann (Lundgren) James, who died October 22, 2008.

John is survived by two sisters, Mary (James) Audelewicz of Waterford, Conn., and Anne (James) Wiest of Richland, Pa. He is also survived by a nephew and three nieces; as well as grand-nephews and a grand-niece.

A private interment in Pennsylvania will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.

The exceptional and loving care that John received in the Alzheimer’s Unit and the Palliative Care Unit of the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Pineville, La., were deeply appreciated by all of his family and friends, who ask that any memorial contributions be made to Volunteer Services of the VA Hospital for the benefit of the patients in the Alzheimer’s Unit. These memorial contributions can be mailed to Dept. of Veterans Affairs Hospital and Medical Center, P.O. Box 69004, Alexandria, LA 71306, and designated for Volunteer Services in the Alzheimer’s Unit.

Hixson Brothers Funeral Homes of Alexandria, La., is handling the arrangements.