Chettipparambil Joseph James

C.J. was born in the early morning hours of June 23, 1947 to Chettipparambil Ouseph Joseph and Anna Lukose Kanippillil in Karimkunnan, Thodupuzha, Kerala, India which at the time was known as the Kingdom of Travancore under British rule. In 1956, Travancore became part of the modern state of Kerala with Malayalam as a primary language.

C.J. was the middle child of eleven children. He enjoyed marbles, hoop rolling, and other popular childhood games. Early in his youth, C.J. showed leadership qualities in community youth groups. Some of his favorite interests included playing handball, soccer, and volleyball. He attended St. Augustine High School in Karimkunnan and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in economics at Newman College in Thodupuzha.

It was in college that C.J.’s talents in the Malayalam language, his mother tongue, began to shine in writing, theater, declamation, and poetry. He won several awards in these areas including best director and best writer for a short story that he turned into a play. He also acted and won best actor in several plays in the community. This success propelled him to Chennai to pursue acting in movies as a career. He was able to land small roles and several speaking roles. Unfortunately, his acting career was put on hold because he was compelled to return to work in the family businesses.

When he was twenty-eight, he was arranged to be married to Leelamma Varghese Rathappillil, who was working as a registered nurse in Houston, Texas. They were wed on October 12, 1975 in Kalloorkad, Kerala at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church. After marriage, the couple eventually settled in Houston, Texas and started their lives together.

In 1977, their daughter, Lisa C. James was born. Lisa was their first child and the first child of both of their families born in the United States. In 1982, their son, Jaison C. James, was born.

During the early years in Houston, C.J. worked his way up in various occupations. He started as a dishwasher and busboy at a Denny’s. Later he worked as a gas station attendant. Following that, he worked in other industries, including as a microfilm technician and an apprentice at Vector Cable, Schlumberger. After many late nights, odd shifts, and saving up money, he was able to open his own business in 1984, Jamy’s Liquor.

At the same time, he pursued his creative interests including writing dramas, short stories, and poetry. He was one of the original members of the Kerala Writers’ Forum in Houston. During this time, C.J. had several literary works published in various Malayalam language media. Through his membership in this group, he and his children met famous writers such as, Shashi Tharoor, Kamala Das, and other well-known authors from Kerala. These moments were deeply profound for his children.

He had a variety of experiences in life, but he was proudest of the family he helped to build and nurture with Leelamma. He was always interested in his children’s pursuits and actively advised them about the best decisions for their future. He said his greatest accomplishment was raising his children to become good citizens in their communities and their country.

He is survived by his wife, Leelamma James, his daughter, Lisa C. James, his son, Jaison C. James, his son-in-law, Daemion Largess Lee, and grandson, Manu James Lee. He is also survived by his siblings, Mary Tomy, Sister Albeena F.C.C., C.J. Augustine (Joy), Gracy Baby, and Lilykutty Chackochen. He is preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Amy L. Pelton. He is also preceded in death by his father, C.O. Joseph, his mother, Anna Joseph, and siblings, C.J. Lukose, Annakutty Louis, Elsamma John, C.J. Joseph, and Thomas Joseph.