James E Anthony

James E. Anthony, 62, of Tampa, Florida and former resident of Ennis, Texas passed away June 10th, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. James’ generosity, care, sense of humor and steadfast love nourished his family, friends and community.

James was born in the small town of Ennis, south of Dallas, Texas, where his ancestors started the Anthony Drive Baptist Church. He was a paperboy, mowed lawns and worked in food service until graduation from Ennis High School in 1978. Thereafter, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served as a Sargeant in Germany, honorably discharged in 1986. James attended the University of Texas at Dallas while working as an electronic warfare engineer for ULT Corporation. He married Aurélie Jon Swinney in 1988, in Dallas, Texas. They celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary this past April. When UTL sold to Boeing, James moved his family to Tampa, Florida where he became a Blue Cross Blue Shield licensed agent for 27 years. He retired from the insurance business in December 2023.

James was strongly dedicated to his family, wife, civic duties, the community, mentoring, and business fellowship. An avid volunteer at Metropolitan Ministries, he also voluntarily ran the Tampa Chess Club, and developed after school chess at Chiles and Tampa Palms Elementary schools. James was deeply involved with Civitan, Rotary, BNI, Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce and other organizations. He was a 25-year member and the current President of the Carrollwood Rotary Club. Annually, he was instrumental in persuading Rotary to host the Faces of Courage Kids Cancer Camp where he served as the meal planner, chef and Santa.

James loved meeting and helping people, almost as much as he loved eating a giant loaded baked potato, chicken fried steak, and an occasional celebratory budino. He was an ardent Cowboys fan, a stamp collector (an enthusiasm inherited from his father), and he thoroughly enjoyed a good game of chess. He gleefully attended his children’s chess tournaments and shared their journey through gaming. He survived stage 3-4 Colo-rectal cancer without surgery, affirming the grace of God. He used the feat to help him live healthier, cherish his family more and encourage others.

James was preceded in death by his brother, Edwin Anthony and father, Dan Anthony. He is survived by his mother, Margaret Anthony (Slagle) of Ennis Texas, loving wife, Aurélie (Swinney) Anthony of Tampa, son James Anthony (Jacqueline Miranda) of Tampa, Florida and daughter Gwen Anthony (Robin Passmore) of Cambridge, Maryland, siblings Debra Smith (Terry) of Ennis, Texas, Joe Anthony of Desoto, Texas, Billy Anthony of Roanoke, Texas and Patricia Wallace (Ben) of Cedar Hill, Texas,

Contributions to James’ memory to the Carrollwood Rotary Club is welcomed.

Please mail donation checks to:

Rotary Club of Tampa Carrollwood

P O BOX 271643

TAMPA , FL 33688

A visitation for James will be held Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Blount & Curry FH-Carrollwood, 3207 W Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL 33618, followed by a celebration of life from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.