Thomas Reed James

Thomas Reed James of Hemet died January 29, 2025. He was born in Fresno, California to Dr. Charles A. James and Sadie Elizabeth James. He was the youngest brother of Burton, Elizabeth and Charles. Tom was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Fresno High School. After serving in the U.S. Navy as a radarman during the Korean War, Tom earned his BA in elementary education from Fresno State College. He also earned an MA from the University of Redlands in 1976. Tom married Patricia Joan Knight on August 24, 1963. They were very active with the Navigators and spent several years of their early married life as Christian missionaries in Costa Rica and North Carolina. In 1968, Tom accepted a teaching position in Hemet Valley, which led to a career teaching 5th grade at Little Lake Elementary that spanned almost 30 years. Tom and Pat enjoyed camping with their three children in the local mountains, the Sierras and on the Central Coast. After retiring in 1996, Tom and Pat also enjoyed visiting family on the east coast and in New Zealand. An avid gardener, Tom always grew an assortment of produce and flowers. He was also gifted at woodworking and carving, even building a small sailboat in the 1980's. Tom and Pat were active members of Bible Fellowship Church in Hemet, serving there since its founding over 40 years ago. Tom's caring, positive attitude and friendly smile will be missed by all who knew him. He will be remembered as being forever "grateful."

Tom is preceded in death by Pat in 2018 and his daughter-in-law, Jenny, in 2024. He is survived by his sister, Elizabeth (Reynolds); son, Stephen C. James; daughter, Shirley R. Cartiglia (and her husband John Cartiglia); son, David R. James; sister-in-law, Kathleen Knight; brother-in-law, Gary Knight (and his wife Lea); and granddaughters, Angela, Alyssa and Sadie. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Navigators or Samaritan's Purse.