James was married to his beloved wife, Rhonda R. Harden, for 39 years. He is survived by his mother Betty L. Horton, his sisters, Laura Schwartz and Carole Bolen (John), his brother, Gary R. Harden (Nancy), and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Oscar C. Horton, and his brother, Donald A. Harden Jr.
As the owner of JAH Construction in Columbus, Georgia, James contributed significantly to his community. He was known for his saying, "If you're going to be dumb, you better be tough." He had a deep love for his dog, Stella, and was a master craftsman. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and the great outdoors. A fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, he was passionate about supporting his team. James was a good man and a man of his word, he was known to be loyal, resilient, and hard-working. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
A committal service will be held at Parkhill Cemetery, located at 4161 Macon Rd, Columbus, Georgia 31907, on January 15, 2026, at 11:00 AM.
