Brian Lee James

It is with heavy hearts our family inform all of the passing of Brian Lee James on December 29th, 2022. Beloved son of Ava F. and Vonnie P. James. Loving brother, uncle, great uncle, and friend to many. He was born in Fort Knox, KY; the family settled in Indianapolis. He grew up Woodruff Place where he made many lifelong friends. He attended school 74, then on to Arsenal Technical High School. After graduation, he joined the USMC, where earned a Rifle Marksman Badge, National Defense Service Medal, and Honorable Discharge. He was almost as proud of that as his parents and family, as he came from a long line of service members. He then went on to work at Diamond Chain before landing a job at Allison Transmissions, where he became an inspector after many years of hard work. He took pride in knowing he was sending the best transmissions to the U.S. Military. After leaving Allison’s, he went on the wear many hats. He opened up Papa J’s Bar-B-Q out of the back of McShane’s Bar. His mambo sauce was second to none and is still being enjoyed today. He worked as a carpenter in the union. It was around this time that he took up horticulture, which he enjoyed immensely. While honing his skills in that, he became a recovery agent and made many friends in law enforcement. But for his many accomplishments in life, his most admirable by far was his love and compassion for animals. He put on a hard exterior for most, but to know him, he was a very compassionate person. There wasn’t an animal or person he wouldn’t help if he could. He gave to many organizations—ASPCA, PETA, Humane Society, and Toys for Tots to name a few. He was preceded in death by Ava Francis James, Vonnie Pauline James, Ruth Ann Doom, and Jo Ann Mackison. He is survived by his sister Linda (Dick) Thompson; brothers Greg James and Jeff (Maria) James, 13 nieces and nephews; and many great nieces and nephews. Services will be held at Crown Hill Columbarium Annex with Military Honors at a later date, still to be determined. Special thanks to Cora West, Dave Robertson, and Allen Ward for being true friends to the end. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BondMitchellFuneralHome.com for the James family.