July 22 1947 October 3 2022
Stephen (Steve) James passed away peacefully on October 3, 2022, at the age of 75, surrounded by his wife (Sylvia), sister (Robin) and the Barrows family. Steve was the eldest of 3 children born July 22, 1947, to William and Alma James, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Steve joined the Navy a few months after turning 18 years old and served for 6 years. A year after discharge from the Navy, he joined the Air Force and served for the next 4 years, with two tours in Vietnam. Steve’s next adventure brought him to Alaska in 1976, where he became a member of Local 302, (IUOE) as a Diesel mechanic, working many years at different sites on the North Slope, Valdez, Fairbanks, and other cities within Alaska. He retired in 1999 at the age of 52 years old. Through mutual friends, Steve met his wife (Sylvia Nightingale) in 1982. They were married on July 29, 1983, in Anchorage. Steve was a member of the American Legion Post 28. He belonged to the Midnight Sun Street Rod Association, showing off his 1958 Ford Edsel. He enjoyed the summer cruises, weekly dinners and all the car shows. Steve was almost ALWAYS seen with a cup of coffee in his hand. Steve’s strong asset was his willingness to help with any car/truck project(s), available anytime, even if it was to just give moral support. Steve was a loving husband, son, brother, proud uncle, and a friend to many. He will be greatly missed by all. Steve was preceded in death by his mother and stepdad Alma and Tom Shields and father William James. Steve is survived by his wife of 39 years, Sylvia James; sisters, Robin (John) Bumgardner of Palmer, AK and Linda Louvier of Ocean Springs, MS; In-Laws: Kim (Cecil) Barrows, Gordon Nightingale of Anchorage and Jeff, Greg (Jill) Nightingale of WA; Aunt Cathey Tucker and Uncle Bill (Dee) Hearn of TX. Along with several nieces and nephews throughout several states. Steve will have a full military service and burial at Fort Richardson Cemetery on November 16th, 2022, at 1pm. If you plan to attend the service, please be at the Arctic Valley gate by 12:30pm, to have check-in completed before procession to the cemetery. A celebration of life will follow at the American Legion Post 28 on Brayton Drive from 3pm-6pm. In lieu of flowers, family suggest a memorial donation made in Steve’s name to a charity of their choice. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Stephen, please visit our Tree Store or plant a tree.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Stephen Lawrence James July 22 1947 October 3 2022.
Death notice for the town of: Wasilla, state: Alaska