Thomas Ray

James

Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. on Monday, November 16, 2026, at Replogle-Lawrence Funeral Home.

Thomas Ray James was known to family and friends as "Bob", a nickname given to him as a small child by his grandfather, John X. James.

Bob went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 9, 2026, in Franklin, TN, following a long battle with interstitial lung disease of unknown cause.

Born on November 22, 1935, in Henderson County, Tennessee, Bob was the oldest child of Charlie Olen James and Lennie Mabel Barr James. His family moved to Gibson and Madison County area when he was a child. Bob lived in Three Way, TN for 50 years. In November 2024, due to health concerns and to be closer to their daughter Shelia, Bob and Sue moved to Brookdale Independent Living in Franklin, TN.

Bob retired after 37 years as a truck driver with Ragland Potter, Malone and Hyde, and Fleming Foods. He worked for Custom Products for several years before leaving to "go fishing", one of his favorite pastimes. Bob also loved being outdoors and could often be found tinkering around his home, picking up cans on the side of the road, or tending to his garden. Bob was an active long time member of Poplar Heights Baptist Church in Jackson, TN.

Bob is survived by his wife of 69 years, Sue Spencer James; his daughters, Shelia James Butler (Larry), and Teresa James Cain (Eddie); his grandchildren, Melinda Cain, Amy Butler (John McClendon), Debra Cain Szewczyk (Eric), Daniel Butler; his great grandchildren, Janina, Jonah, and Juliette Szewczyk, Aurora and Gideon Butler, and Avery Elizabeth McClendon. He is also survived by his sisters, June James Duello (Denis) and Joyce James Williams; sisters-in-law Janie James and Martha James; brother-in-law, Mike Elvert.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Charlie James and Mabel James Byrd; his stepfather, George T. Byrd; his sisters, Marie James Mitchell (Robert) and Glenda James Elvert; his brothers, Bill James (Betty), Willard James, and Jerry James; and his brother-in-law, Ron Williams.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Shriners Children's Hospital