I miss you James. I think of you most days and still can’t believe you are gone. I miss our long catch up chats over haircuts, it is hard to go back to the salon. Be happy and carefree my friend, I love you.


Spencer, I just learned today about James and I am so saddened and at loss here…we always had amazing conversations and his love to you and life was unbelievable. 

I am so so sorry Spencer and please don’t hesitate to reach out-day/night I am here for you!



I had the privilege of knowing James for many years as he cut my hair. He did so much more than just cut hair. He helped give me confidence and helped me grow as a person. Whenever I have big life decisions I needed help with I always made a hair appointment and James helped me navigate life with his wisdom and experience. I am now happily engaged because of him and looking forward to fatherhood because of his advice. He used his love for his son as a teaching tool and has helped me understand the joys of fatherhood. I always left James with a big hug and a smile on my face and an amazing haircut. If the point of life is to leave this world better than you found it James lived 10 lives. My favourite quote from him was "If you wanna cut beards or bangs you gotta build trust" He will be sorely missed. 

An artist who passionately loved his people. He cut my hair and my mother’s like it was creating new art each time. I moved away 15 years ago and have never since been cared for as he cared for my  heart and hair. Much love to all his people, particularly Sharon and Spencer. 

I was terribly saddened to learn today of James' passing. I have known him for over 30 years ever since he started cutting my hair. I followed him through two shops on North Fulton, to Midtown and looked forward to our chats about family & current events. The event he was most proud of was the birth & life of his son, Spencer. He would beam with pride every time I asked about Spencer, he was a wonderful father. I will miss my good friend very much & my best wishes go to Spencer & Sharon.




I met James when I moved to Atlanta and started coming to the salon about 16 years ago. James always brightened my day with his kind soul, thoughtful questions, silly jokes, and great hugs. He got my hair in shape for my wedding and cut it for many years. I always enjoyed talking with James about travels, restaurants, fancy shoes, and children. He gave me life advice for raising my sons that I think about often - he was such a proud father to Spencer and his love for him was ever-present. I found out today during my appointment at the salon that he had passed, and I am stunned and heartbroken for his friends, family, colleagues, and clients - all of whom I know are deeply grieving the sudden loss of such a truly special man. He had a profound impact on me over the years and will be very missed. May his memory be a blessing to Spencer and his family. 

Spencer, I am so sorry for your loss. I was lucky enough to be one of your father's clients for the past 5 years.  He was SO PROUD of you and of all of your hard work and your new job. I'm not sure I've ever met a more proud father than your dad. I am absolutely stunned and saddened by this news. James was such a sweet soul.  I hope all of the tributes to your father give you some comfort, now and for years to come.  

With Sympathy,
Dave Slippen

Spencer, we are saddened to hear about the loss of your father. Although we only knew James for a short time, we thought very highly of him. It was such a pleasure to have known such a kind, happy, sweet and humble man.  It was so obvious how much he loved and adored you.   We will miss him dearly.   

I am so deeply saddened to learn of James. I have been going to his salon since he was in Buckhead and was very happy to land in his chair over 10 years ago.
He was always upbeat and we had lovely conversations  but he was most proud and lit up even brighter when he spoke of Spencer. It was a joy to see that sparkle in his eyes. 
I will greatly  miss his smile and hugs.
My sympathies to Spencer, his family and colleagues.

James was a great neighbor for over 20 years.  Our families shared many dinners, cocktails and gingerbread houses over the years.  Among our fondest memories is James sitting by the fire, listening to Marvin Gaye and drinking Macallan's 18.  James was understandably proud of his many accomplishments.  He was most proud of Spencer.

Our love and condolences to Spencer and Sharon.

Reconnected with James a few years ago. We worked together at Scott Cole Salon in the 80’s. He was an inspiration to our craft of hairdressing.  He will be missed. What a humble, kind soul. He was always happy to share his knowledge. Rest In Peace my friend.

Spencer, I echo everyone’s sentiments - your dad always talked about you and how proud he was of you.  
Your dad was a special person - always upbeat and kind to me and my girls.  I will miss seeing him in the salon and getting my hugs.
I am most sad that he won’t be around to cheer you on and celebrate your successes as you go through life.   May all of the beautiful memories give you comfort at this difficult time.

James and I go back well over 30 years, from the salon at Phipps Plaza, to the shop on North Fulton to the Midtown location. Every 6 weeks we caught up, gabbed about our families and hugged. 

James was such a proud papa of Spencer —he loved being dad! In the early days at Halloween, James and Spencer would also stop in at our porch on their rounds.

James and I were exactly the same age and were both bummed after Covid cut out our 60th last year.  James suggested a “do over”plan to celebrate this year together!

Two weeks ago at my last appointment,
James was so excited about heading to Germany to see Spencer. Still reeling that was my last big hug from James. He will be  so missed. 


Thirty-five + years ago James restyled my hair and kept it in wonderful trim thereafter.  At my appointment last week, I told him that I would just let my allover, short hair grow out and make a grandma bun when he retired. With this now unplanned, forced retirement, I will indeed grow out my hair, in memory, and will think of that dear man often.  
Spencer, I remember when you were born and the times when you helped in the shop as you were growing up.  I shared your father’s pride in your successes and enjoyed hearing details of your new life in Munich.  I hope that you are able to cope with this terrible loss as well as is humanly possible.


I am heartbroken to learn about James. I was just in to get my haircut and catch up. We have grown to be good friends over the 30+ years I have been going to him. He was always so very proud of Spencer and always shared his latest accomplishment. We would always have such fun gabbing and sharing all the latest news on each other and then he would say I needed that and give me a big hug. I will miss his hugs and cheerfulness and his friendship. The world has lost such a good person and such a old school gentleman. They don’t make them like this anymore.  See you again my friend, I love you!


I am incredibly sad to hear this news.  James started cutting my hair in the brick house in Buckhead, and I followed him to every salon since then.  Even when I moved 30 miles away, I couldn’t imagine going to anyone else.  He was a good friend, an amazingly upbeat person, and I will miss seeing him every few weeks.  He was incredibly proud of Spencer.  James never missed telling me Spencer’s latest accomplishment or wise saying, and he loved to describe what a great team they were.  I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around the fact that he won’t be there the next time I go in, ready to tell me about Spencer, compare notes on politics, and chat about life in general.  My deepest condolences to his family and colleagues.  Godspeed, James.

I started seeing James when his salon was in the purple house in Buckhead. I remember the move across the street to the red brick house. He used to ask me questions about managing the staff. I moved away to San Francisco, and returned to Atlanta after 18 years. I returned and we picked up right where we left off. 
James was a sweet man, and you won't find a Dad more devoted than he was. His pride for Spencer shone through whenever he spoke of him. He was always positive in his approach to his challenges. Though our friendship only extended to his chair in the salon, I feel that he was a true friend.
He will be dearly missed. 

I am so deeply sad to learn of James' passing.  My sincere condolences to his beloved son, Spencer.  He spoke of Spencer all of the time with such pride and love.  As we all know, James was a true professional, an excellent stylist and a gentleman.  
God bless and keep you, Spencer.  

James and Spencer are friends that happen to be customers for the last three years or more!  We had just spoken on Friday last week!  James is truly the most kind, appreciative, happy and sincere person you would ever want to meet!  He brought me a handwritten card and decadent pastries on my Birthday in Feb...he said no flowers for me, they just die and Spencer nodded!  What a grown up man and “adopted nephew” Spencer has become.  He called to tell me the sad news, going through his Dad’s contacts.  He wanted to pick up the floor lamp he and James chose together.    He said it meant the world to him and he wanted to pick it up and place it where his Dad wanted it to go!  I was able to hug him and his Mom this week.  James is and will always be the most proud father to Spencer.  This tragedy has hurt us all, but I plan to keep up with Spencer the rest of his life in honor and respect for his father and this strong young man.  My Daddy died from a long illness when I was 21, so I can relate to the changes and stages of what Spencer is and will go through in the years to come.  All my love,  James and Spencer!  “Aunt”. Catherine from Baker....I should have taken him up on that free haircut, right!   Xoxo. He will always be in your life, just in different way!  Love you Spencer!  Your Mom is strong when you feel you can’t be.  You know how to reach me at anytime.   ✝️😘

I was a client of James' for 30 years.  I was so thrilled to find him that I followed him across Buckhead and to Midtown, and I would have followed him anywhere just to have him continue to style my hair.
We shared our lives and parenting tips and grew old together as I sat in his chair every few weeks.    
I watched Spencer grow up through his eyes, sharing his pride in having raised such a smart, accomplished, polite son.  No matter how much he enjoyed his many loyal clients, Spencer was always his most important accomplishment.  I know he was so proud to see Spencer graduate and become independent.

It was truly a pleasure to have known James from the JBT gym and James Madison Salon.  He was always smiling. He will be missed dearly. Wishing Spencer and all of James' family comfort in your many memories.

I am so heartbroken over the loss of a great person, a great friend. I've known James since 1985, my first haircut with him, the day of Live Aid 1985 at Perimeter Mall.

I've been friends with James ever since; following him from the mall, to the big move his own salon on North Fulton, to an even bigger move to Midtown.

Throughout that time, sitting in the chair, we talked about how our lives have evolved and changed. But one thing he was most proud of and absolutely loved, was being a father. He was so especially PROUD of you, Spencer.

I’m so glad I got to see James this past May. He gave the greatest hugs every time I saw him. There are no words to say how greatly missed he will be by myself and all of us.

My deepest, deepest sympathies to you both, Spencer and Sharon.

Sincerely, 
“Little J” as he called me.... aka Janet


Oh my goodness . . . I am so incredibly sorry.  I can't even express to you just how much I enjoyed James.  I only knew him for a few years, but he brightened my day every time I visited the salon.  He was such a stitch!  I do want his son to know that EVERY SINGLE TIME I went in James talked about how PROUD he was of him.  We talked about selling the house and possible buying a tiny place overseas so he could be close.  He was a GREAT man.  And he will be GREATLY missed.  

James,

I only met you once or twice , but I loved your family. Sharon was like a sister to me and we were inseparable, and Spencer was like my little brother. You and Sharon raised one of the smartest , coolest kids I have ever known. Spencer , I know your dad thought the world of you , and he would tell you to pursue your dreams and make him proud . My thoughts and prayers are with you all. 

James, 
Thank you for a lifetime of great laughs and memories…most importantly thank you for the gift of our wonderful son. We are  blessed to share him. 
Ciao, as you would always say! 
Love,
Sharon 

Devastated by this news.  James and I have been friends since the late 1980s.  We were already planning on a few UGA ballgames this fall.  Our deepest sympathies to Spencer, his family, many friends and colleagues... That smile always had a way of brightening your day.  RIP my friend.

There is no language to express my gratitude and love for James he raised me in a salon I was so proud to be a part of. We shared some of the most exciting times in the industry and had some of the best laughs. We were such a great team and everyone he touched knew it. He lived for hair and for Spencer. He was so proud! And I’m so proud I knew him. Thank you for believing in me James.  I can remember the day he hired me like it was yesterday. There are so many awesome memories that will span eternity. “Jimmy Jam” he would say when he was on fire!
Love you man. And love you Spencer, your so strong. I’m here always. Jeremiah 



James was a good friend and good man. I always enjoyed time with him, including our dinner together with Spencer and my son Sam at a great steakhouse.  Spencer, he was so proud of you and he was most excited telling me how great you were doing, at school, in Germany, etc.  He will be missed by me and my entire family.


Spencer, James was so proud of you and the man you are. Your dad was a dear friend as you know and I will miss him terribly.  We had many good times with you guys and your dad was so gracious to allow my son to stay with him during his internship in Buckhead. He will forever be remembered.  

Spencer
We are devastated to hear about your Father. 
Words could never convey how sorry we are to hear about this,
And so sad for you.  
He was so young 
We are praying for you and your family 
May God Bless you
Jane and Jim


An incredible man and father….my last words to him as he sat outside the salon was “have a great trip”! He was beyond excited to visit his son!!

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in James’ memory to the Buddy Baseball program at Buckhead Baseball.  Donations can be mailed to Buckhead Baseball at 1266 West Paces Ferry Road, Box 273, Atlanta, Georgia or sent via PayPal at paypal.me/BuckheadBaseball

OBITUARY

James Madison

June 27, 1960 – June 15, 2021

H.M. Patterson & Son-Arlington Chapel

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