Monroe Gordan James Jr., affectionately known as “Jr” by his sisters and brothers, departed this life on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at Holy Cross Hospital. Monroe was born October 29, 1943 in Rawlings, Virginia to the late Monroe & Fannie James. He was the oldest of nine, of which six were by his birth mother and the younger three, by his stepmother, the late Winnie James who raised him after the death of his mother.
Monroe accepted Christ at a young age and attended Hickory Run Baptist Church, in Rawlings, Va. In 1963, Monroe graduated from James Solomon Russell High School in Brunswick, County, Rawlings, Va. The last two years he worked evenings after school as a school bus driver. After graduation, he jumped into his 1956 Ford, of with only $20.00 in his pocket and made his way to Washington, DC. Even though the car ran hot the whole way, the “Lord” got him there. He arrived at his Uncle Fletcher and Aunt Goldie James and dear cousin Barbara Gordan Barbour, where he resided for 6 years.
Monroe joined the U.S. Army in June of 1965. He attended basic training in Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. After basic training, he rotated to Ft. Dix, N.J. for a six-week training as a Supply Specialist. He was assigned to the 78th Light Equipment Maintenance Company in Boblingen, West Germany. After working for six weeks, he was asked to work for the American Youth Activities. He accepted the job which made him Assistant to the Manager and a Staff Sergeant. His active duty ended in 1967. In 1968 he joined the D.C. National Guard. During this time the Riots broke out in Washington, D.C. And he was called to active duty for as long as the riots were going on. In 1970 he received an honorable discharge certificate.
Monroe worked for an advertising company, Proctor & Gamble, as a distributor. He then worked part-time at the Northeast Shell; he was also employed by the United Drug Company. After one year of employment, Monroe went on to work for the Greyhound Bus Company as a cleaner. He advanced to mechanic’s helper until they had a mass layoff. He was given a choice of being transferred to New York City or Chicago. Being young he chose not to go to either place. In the meantime, Monroe worked part-time for the Blue Line Sightseeing Bus Company as a driver. Along with a full-time job he’s always had a part-time job. For a short time, he went to work for the Department of Agriculture. Always wanting to better himself, he went to work for the General Learning Corporation. Monroe was employed with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as a telecommunication operator and then promoted to Supervisor of Dispatch. In 2006 he retired from the CIA.
Monroe was loved dearly by all and he will be missed tremendously. Monroe was preceded in death by his brother Lorenzo James along with Lorenzo’s wife Maxine James, his sister Genora James, his aunt Lilia, uncle Samuel and nephew Anthony Walker. Monroe is survived by his devoting wife of 48 years, Mattie James; three daughters, Kim Rogers, Patricia James and LaTonya Woodhouse; one son in law, Rev. Winters Rogers; six grandchildren, Mario James (Jessica), Leilani James, Patrice Simpson, Lee Harris III, Jordan James and Jayden James; six great-grandchildren, Amare James, Kyree Simpson, Kenneth Shelly, Kennedi Shelly, Grayson James and Madison James. Siblings; Thomas James (Lucy), Winston James (Barbara), Marion James, Deidra Staples (Samuel), Deborah Robinson, Marlene James, Aunts; Zell and Mable; In-laws; George King (Sheila), Harold King (Gwen), Charles King, Michael King, Manuel King, Mary Alexander, Virginia Wise, Hallie Eldridge, Tara King; Adopted sister; Barbara Vanhagen (Paul), Adopted mother; Rose Maude Brown; Nieces and Nephews; Lorenzo “Darren” James (LaNissir), Stacey Selby (Stevie), Tracey Yeager (Curtis), Udenia James, Thomas James, Sam Staples, Chantel James, Adopted nephews; Malcolm Vanhagen & Marcus Vanhagen (Jasmine)
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