Daddy was just waiting on me to come see him. I got to spend Friday and Saturday with my daddy. Told him a lot of funny stories we had together. Told him a few jokes. He always told me he was going to live to be 110. I said, well Daddy, you look pretty good for 88. I don't know about trying to make it to 110 because after 100 I think it would be pretty boring. There wouldn't be much to do.
I prayed by my dad's bedside as I knew in my heart that this was the last time I would get to visit my daddy.
I whispered to my dad. It's okay to let go. Dad, I know you're tired and you've got a lot of people that love you. Mama will be well taken care of and so will Sugar, your little puppy.
I'll always be daddy's little girl and I'm your biggest baby. It's okay to let go until we meet again.

Every time Tom and I went up for a visit, I would always take pictures with Mama and Daddy.
Pictures are worth a thousand words but the memories I will have forever in my heart.

Always hugs and kisses, and Dad would tell a joke or two. Or three. Daddy would always say, 'When are you coming back to see me? ' and 'Call me when you get home so I know you made it safely. '
Sometimes we would just get home and the phone would ring. Dad would say, "Are you home yet?" His timing was always good on the road; he knew exactly how long it would take.

I always love coming into town to see my mom and dad. It was always hard to leave but you know you could never get away that quick because Daddy always followed us out to the truck and talked another 30 minutes or so LOL.

For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, through thick and thin, they stuck together through all the hard times and all the good times. I am blessed to have such awesome parents.

These are my kids that are great grandkids
Alicen and Lulu

Some of the great grandkids left to right  Amelia, Nevaeh, Madeline, Alicen, Jack, Kirsten ,Nathan ,Tyler ,Michael, Logan, Lulu ,Emily

In the short time that me and Lacey have been together, Tommy has left a forever lasting impact on my life. From small chuckles and dad jokes, to wisdom filled stories that have a lifetime full of advice, no experience with Tommy was ever forgettable. Though memories made with Tommy will always be cherished, his faith-and-family morals and strong character will always be a piece of Tommy that will live in me forever. Thank you Tommy for bringing life to such an amazing family, and my beautiful wife. Until we meet again, and have those long conversations filled with wisdom and life experience that I cherish so deeply. We love you so very much.

A Memory of My Grandpa ❤️

It’s hard to put into words just how much my grandpa meant to me. When I think back on my childhood, some of my happiest memories were made out there with him. It was never just a place to me; it was my second home. I truly couldn’t have asked for a better childhood, and I will forever be grateful for all the memories I got to make with him.

You never know a love quite like a grandpa’s love until you’ve been lucky enough to experience it. My grandpa had such a special way of loving and caring for all his kids and grandkids. He made us feel loved in his own way, and that’s something I will carry in my heart for the rest of my life. I will always cherish the memories, the laughs, and all the little moments that I probably didn’t realize at the time would one day mean so much.

One of my favorite memories that I will always laugh about is the day he called me, and the very first thing he said was, “Lacey, I’m so ugly I’d make a freight train take a dirt road.” 😂 That was just Grandpa, and I can still picture that moment and laugh. It’s funny how the smallest memories can become the biggest treasures when you wish you could have just one more day with someone.

I would give anything to go back and spend one more day out there, to hear his voice, laugh at his jokes, and just be a little girl with her grandpa again. I wish I could tell him one more time how much I love him and how much he means to me.

Grandpa, thank you for giving me the most beautiful childhood, for making out there feel like home, and for loving me in a way that nobody else ever could. I will miss you more than words can explain, and I know I will spend the rest of my life holding on to the memories we made. No matter how old I get, I will always be your little girl, and you will always be one of the biggest pieces of my heart.

They say you never know what you have until it’s gone, but I hope you always knew just how much I loved you. I was so lucky to have you as granpa

My Uncle Tommy — one heck of a man, and someone who made a lasting impact on my life.

I was blessed to spend a summer as a kid camping on his back porch, and to this day, those memories remain some of the happiest and most cherished memories of my childhood. It truly was the best summer of my childhood, and I will carry those memories with me forever.

Uncle Tommy was a hard-working man who always put his family first. He was the kind of man you could look up to, count on, and be proud to call family. He made such a positive impact on my life that I named one of my boys after him — a small way of carrying his name and his legacy forward.

There are people who come into our lives and leave a mark that time can never erase. Uncle Tommy was one of those people.

You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. I love you, Uncle Tommy, and I can't wait to see you again someday.

Prayers for everyone who loved him and for our family as we say goodbye to a truly great man.

Rest easy, Uncle Tommy. Until we meet again.

OBITUARY

Tommy C. James

August 24, 1938 – September 27, 2026

Hampton Vaughan Crestview Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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