James was Preceded In Death by: Parents Sam and Mae Eames; Brother Johnnie Eames; Grandson Clinton Seawright; and the greatest loss, his wife of 70 years, Betty Eames
Those left to honor James memory are his Children: Rebecca Eames Swanton (Wade), James Ray Eames, Patricia Eames Griffin (Ben), Joseph Allen Eames (Joan); Grandchildren: Chris Swanton, Robert Swanton, Steven Emfinger, Melissa Seawright, Danya Rowan, Charley Ferlito, Candice Eames, Clayton Eames; 15 Great Grandchildren; Nephews: Johnnie Eames and Harold (David) Eames
James, a man of strength and determination, started his journeys in life at an early age. At 12 and 13 years of age he traveled roads in Louisiana and Texas and by 14 joined a circus traveling roads around the US. His desire to travel only increased with time and at the age of 16 (March 1949) joined the National Guard Company L 199th Inf and then at the age of 17 he joined the United States Army. At the start of his enlistment while stationed overseas, thanks to a radio program in Louisiana, the Lord blessed James with a pen pal named Betty. James served in the Korean War with the Second Infantry Division K Co. 3rd Battalion 23rd Inf. Reg where he was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart. He was then stationed with the 121st Evacuation Hospital until he was evacuated to the United States. James next duty station was Camp Chaffee US Army Base in Arkansas (1952-1955). On August 7, 1952 James decided that his pen pal Betty was the Love of his life and he gladly gave up a stripe to take unauthorized leave and make her his bride. James and Betty continued their adventures with the army; being stationed with the 25th Gen Hospital in La Rochell France from 1955-1959. Due to the continued complications from injuries sustained in Korean War James was honorably discharged in 1959. The adventures of James and Betty continued and eventually brought them to Shreveport Louisiana where they would raise their 4 children. James with Betty by his side wrote The Louisiana Senate to re-enforce the rights of disabled persons which allowed him to start a career at the United States Postal Service (where he retired in 1992). James continued his contributions with his acts of service to Lifetime Membership of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled Veterans, VFW Post 1951, Distract 12 VFW Honor Guard, and volunteer work at Overton Brooks VA Medical Center. In 2022 after 70 years of marriage James was faced with the start of the hardest battle he would ever face, saying goodbye to beautiful bride Betty (his Angel). The 2 years that followed James would spend time with family until his broken heart entered him into rest on November 27, 2024.
A visitation for James will be held Thursday, December 5, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, Louisiana 71108. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 2:00 PM with Bro. Matt Tyson officiating. Burial will take place in Centuries Memorial Park.
In Lieu of Flowers: Please make a donation to Everywarrior.org or a donation of your choosing
