Frederick James Jr.

Frederick (Freddy) James Jr. was born February 7, 1942, to Lilla Hyams James and Frederick James, Sr., in Panama City, Panama. He passed away on January 2, 2023, at home with his family by his side from a rare liver disease called primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). He was very courageous and fought hard until the very end. When asked how he was doing in the face of his terminal illness, he usually replied in good spirits with..." Well, I'm doing the best that I can!"

Many family and friends endeared Freddy due to his optimistic personality. He was known back in Panama as Junie, Buck-Tooth Junie, and Pancho. He was Uncle Freddy to many nieces and nephews and GP (Grand-Pa) to his grandchildren. His family and friends would describe him as extraordinary, knowledgeable, curious, techno-savvy, gregarious, friendly, fashionable, fun, funny, expressive, generous, meticulous, a history buff, an entrepreneur, an avid chess player, a great storyteller, hard-working, youthful, a teacher, and overall a Cool Dude! He loved music in many genres, specifically calypso and jazz. He also loved connecting with people and sharing his many life adventures through stories, such as his four-day excursion to Haiti, Panama, and Jamaica, hitchhiking from Florida to New York in the 1960s, and learning as a kid how to play his favorite board game, chess, from an older gentleman in Brooklyn, New York. And most of all, he loved sharing his famous story of how he met his wife, Shelly Ellerbe.

Freddy migrated with his family from Panama to the United States in 1953. He was 11 years old when he arrived in New York City. Freddy attended a catholic elementary school in Manhattan, subsequently Boys' High School, and Medgar Ever College in Brooklyn. At 18, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1964. In 1966 he was united in Holy Matrimony to Shelly Ellerbe. They settled in Brooklyn, New York, and had four beautiful daughters. They were married for 48 years until her untimely death on October 18, 2014.

Freddy had many jobs throughout his life, including the United States Postal Service mailman. However, he had a successful career in the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), where he proudly served for twenty-five years. He attained one of the MTA's senior positions as Deputy Superintendent of the D-line and retired from the MTA in 1996.

In the last few years of his life, the Jehovah's Witnesses community embraced Freddy, and he became a devout member. He was committed to learning about the Bible through bible studies and extended what he knew to others through his field service work. He found an extended family within the Jehovah's Witnesses community.

Frederick James, Jr. leaves behind his four daughters, Arnetia James Sidiabed (and son-in-law Bouabdellah Sidiabed), Valarie James-Ragsdale, Tamara James (and partner Jeffery Rincon), and Fredena James; six grandchildren, Charles E. Ragsdale III, Justice T. Ragsdale, Ahmad E. Sidiabed, Myles J. Ragsdale, Jennah I. Sidiabed, and Layla R. Sidiabed and three grand-dogs, Noah, Truffle, Sebastian and grand-cat Mylo; one brother, Alfonso James, and sister-in-law, Mercedes James; sister-in-law Elsa James (brother Fernando James deceased), sister-in-law Isabella Medley of Brooklyn, NY, and brother-in-law, Luke Ellerbe of Killeen, Texas and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A visitation for Frederick will be held Friday, January 13, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 East Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27609. A memorial service will occur Friday, January 13, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 1701 East Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27609. A graveside service will occur Friday, January 13, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Salisbury National Cemetery, 501 Statesville Blvd, Salisbury, NC 28144.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownwynneeastmillbrook.com for the James family.