Kenneth James

Kenneth E. James, was born on March 27th, 1958, in Knoxville, Tennessee to the union of Barbara Jean Davis James and Willie R. James. Kenneth departed his earthly home on Friday, September 20, 2024. He accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized at Neighborhood United Methodist Church in Maywood, Illinois.

Kenneth attended Irving Elementary in Maywood, Illinois, and it was during these years he developed a love for baseball. He served on the children’s choir in Greenville, MS and on the children’s usher board. Ken went on to attend Proviso East Highschool where he continued his love for baseball and also was a football standout.

After graduating from Proviso East High School in 1977, Ken enlisted in the United States Navy and graduated bootcamp at the Great Lakes Naval Station in North Chicago, Illinois. He would go on to serve tours in Norfolk, Virginia and Rota, Spain on the USS Blandy Ship.

Ken enjoyed music, dancing, and kidding around with his younger sisters. He especially enjoyed holidays when the family would gather to celebrate. He would use these occasions to sing and perform — which the family enjoyed.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Barbara Jean Davis James and Willie James; nephew, Derrick Jones; grandparents, Leotra and Jerry Davis, and Martha Whitley.

He leaves to cherish his memory, sisters, Pamela Leotra (Moses) of Shorewood, Illinois and Angela Jones of Nashville, Tennessee; nephews, Moses Trent (Julie), Demario Trent, Cory Jones, Christopher Trent and Yashua Trent; nieces, Tiffany Trent, April Jones, Melanie Jones, Tawiah Trent, and Jessica Jones; and a host of other relatives and friends to include close friends/brothers, Steven Bankhead of Southaven, MS and Jerri Thomas of Maywood, Illinois.

Family will receive friends, Saturday October 5, 2024 from 2:00pm to 2:30pm at Jarnigan & Son Mortuary, 2823 Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Knoxville, TN 37914 — with celebration of life services to follow.

Internment will be Monday, October 7, 2024 at the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 2200 E Governor John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920.

Final arrangements entrusted to Jarnigan & Son Mortuary.