On Tuesday, September 1, 2020, John Ezra James, Jr. departed this earthly realm at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. John was born on September 26, 1938 and was the sixth son of late John Ezra James, Sr. and Ella Parker James. He was baptized at an early age at Nathaniel Baptist Church, in Centreville, Mississippi. John Joined Belfair Baptist Church where he dedicated his service to various ministries like the Deacon Board, Mission ministry and Board of Trustees, under the leadership of Pastor Emeritus Reverend Dr. Alvin A. Francois and presently, Reverend Jon D. Bennett, Pastor. He was a devout Christian man who served the Lord until his death. John James was a 1957 graduate of East High School, in Clinton, LA. He later attended Southern University and A&M College, in Baton Rouge, LA where he earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Mathematics, Science and Social Science. John continued has education and pursued a Masters Degree in Education and Supervision plus 30. Being an overzealous learner, further studies were completed at Louisiana State University, Southeastern University and Lincoln University, in Jefferson City, Missouri. He was an advocate for students and a true academician. Before retirement, John worked as an assistant principal and principal at West High School and Jackson High School, respectively. He also taught at Istrouma and Woodlawn High Schools. John dedicated 36 years of his life to educating young minds as a Mathematics teacher. He touched the lives of many by serving as a tutor for students and also spent several hours working for the community at Obrien House and volunteering at Belfair Baptist Church with the Boy Scouts of America. He was a leader in his own right and never minced words. Anyone who knew him was sure of his position. A proud American, John served in the United States Army in the Vietnam war. Upon returning home, he resumed his same teaching position that he had prior to service. He was passionate about any task that he would undertake. John was married to Mildred Barnes James for 48 years. From their union were born two children, John Eric and Dana LaShawn James. To celebrate and cherish his memory, John is survived by his devoted children, son, John Eric James, Sr. and wife Mona, of Houston, Texas, daughter, Dana LaShawn James, of Baton Rouge, LA; one grandson, John Eric James, Jr., of Houston, Texas; two sisters, Mae Lou Mims, of Norwood, LA and Fannie Hayes Terrell and husband Sie, of Baton Rouge, LA; one brother, Andrew James and wife Patricia, of Lanham, Maryland, one sister-in-law, Beatrice James, of Baton Rouge, LA; one brother-in-law, Edward Barnes and wife Sylvia, of Baton Rouge, LA, one godchild, Dr. Kyla Pitcher and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, close relatives and friends. John was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mildred Barnes James; his parents, John Ezra James, Sr. and Ella Parker James; four brothers, Robert, Prince, Phillip and Flanders; one sister, Maxcine J. Hayes; and sister-in-law, Eloise B. Jordan. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the John E. James Jr. Scholarship Fund which can be accessed through the Belfair Baptist Church website. See the link below: http://belfairchurch.org/giving-form/ To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Deacon John Ezra James, Jr., please visit our floral store.