Thomas Arthur James, Sr.

THOMAS ARTHUR JAMES, SR.

Devoted husband, friend; loving father of teacher & judge

Thomas Arthur James, Sr., age 91, died at 4:15 a. m. Friday, May 15, 2009 at Loyalton of Bloomsburg after a brief illness. Until recently he lived for 50 years at 438 Jefferson Street, Bloomsburg.

Tom was born on December 29, 1917 in Wilkes-Barre, the son of the late John V. and Sarah (Thomas) James. His mother died in 1918 in the great flu pandemic and he was raised by his maternal grandmother and his father, a Wilkes-Barre firefighter.

He graduated from Myers High School, Wilkes-Barre in 1935. In 1941 he enlisted in the U. S. Navy where he proudly served as an EM 1st Class aboard the USS Carlson, a destroyer escort, in the Pacific Theatre until the end of the war in 1945.

He met the love of his life, Hilda Olwen Edwards before the war, and they married during his only weekend leave on April 10, 1943. They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary this year. Tom and Hilda's marriage was an epic love story. They were inseparable, loving, devoted partners. During his life, Tom's strong faith in God comforted him and gave him palpable peace which was felt by his family and friends. At the end, his only concern was for Hilda. They shared a beautiful love.

Tom was the father of Lynne Ruth Hershey, a New Jersey school teacher (and husband Sylvan Hershey, Hawthorne, N.J. and Thomas A. James, Jr., Columbia and Montour Counties Common Pleas Judge (and wife Susan M. James). He was the grandfather of Eric Hershey (wife Christina); Jonatha Hershey (wife Allison); Megan Hershey; David James; and Benjamin James. His first great-grandchild (by Eric and Christina) is due in August.

Tom worked as a salesman for PPG Industries for many years. In his retirement, he was a partner with his son in a real estate rental business until he was 81 years old. He was a more than 50 year member of Wesley United Methodist Church, where he served in many capacities, including Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, and as a member of the choir for 42 years. He loved his church.

He was a member of Kingston Lodge 395, F & AM for over 50 years and was a long time member of Caldwell Consistory and the Bloomsburg Elks Lodge 436. As a boy, he was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, where he attained the rank of Life Scout.

Funeral services will be held on Monday at 2 p. m. in Wesley United Methodist Church, Market & West Third Streets, Bloomsburg, with his pastor, Rev. Jay E. Jones officiating. Private interment in New Rosemont Cemetery, Espy.

Friends may call on Sunday from 6-8 p. m. at the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg. There will be no viewing at the Church on Monday. The family will receive friends at the Church, Monday from 1-2 p. m. Please use West Third Street entrance. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, 130 W. Third St., Bloomsburg, PA.

Tom James was an exemplary husband, parent and friend. He was kind, loving, giving and forgiving. He brought joy to his family and friends and all who met him. His family and friends admired him, respected him, and loved him dearly.