BRUCE WELLINGTON JAMES

January 3, 1928 ~ November 1, 2011
He was born on January 3, 1928, in St. Louis, the son of the late John Dean James and Sylvia Mercedes Spiller.
He was united in marriage on May 6, 1957 in Ardmore, Okla., to Mary MaxCine Franks who resides at the home.
A veteran of the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, Mr. James retired in 1997 as an administrator with the Missouri Department of Social Services. In earlier years, he was a professional basketball player for the Court Jesters in Portland, Ore., and served as a principal at Booker T. Washington School, Purcell, Okla.
He was a member of Second Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and a Sunday School teacher. Bruce was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He was involved with Rural Prison Ministries, Congregations United for Racial Equality, and the Zoning Commission. A sports enthusiast, he was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoyed playing horseshoes, cards, ping-pong, and dominoes.
Survivors include four daughters, Sylvia (Edward) Wilson, Jefferson City; Fran Z. (John) Ramirez, Queens, New York; Joy (Tom) Hayden, Plano, Texas; and Aquita B. Westley, Lees Summit, Mo.; seven grandchildren, Eudoria Wilson; Thomas Hayden; Auriel McGill; Evonne Wilson; Emani Wilson; Lyric Westley; and Joshua James Hayden; one aunt, Melba Jean Spiller, Edwardsville, Ill.; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Ernest Samuel Sloan, II; one sister, Vivian Jones; and one brother, Eugene Jones.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9th, at Second Baptist Church, 501 Monroe Street, Jefferson City, with the Rev. Cornell C. Sudduth, Sr., officiating.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, 2011, at Mount Joy Missionary Baptist Church, 327 Olive Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025 Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011, at the Edwardsville church.
Burial with military honors will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Edwardsville, Ill.
Memorials are suggested to Paralyzed Veterans of America, 7 Mill Brook Road, Wilton, NH 03086; American Cancer Society, 2413 Hyde Park Road, Jefferson City, MO 65109; American Diabetes Association, POB 1013, Columbia, MO 65205; or Alzheimers Association, 2400 Bluff Creek Drive, Columbia, MO 65201.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home, Jefferson City, is in charge of arrangements.
Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
Fran, please know that I and your JCHS classmates extend our sympathies to you and your family at this time of loss. All will be in my prayers.
Dear Family of Bruce James,I became acquainted with Mr. James when he was appointed to the Jeferson City Board of Zoning Adjustment in 2000. He served from 2000 to 2008. In those eight years he participated in a deliberative body that considered many contentious neighborhood zoning issues, but Mr. James was always the voice of calm and reasonableness. He was kind and considerate of everyone, even when he disagreed with someone. He encouraged deliberation and discussion to solve the problems at hand. On behalf of the Jefferson City Board of Zoning Adjustment, and the Jefferson City Planning Staff, I offer my sincere condolences to the James family. From Janice McMillan, Planning Director, City of Jefferson City
Sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one, I worked with Bruce for several years. He was sincere in helping others and a distingushed gentleman. He will be sadly missed by those of us who knew him.