Harry James, Jr. was a husband, father, uncle, grandfather, deacon and a friend. He departed from this world on February 20, 2023.

Harry was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina on December 23, 1937 to the late Harry and Mary James, Sr. From this union, Harry Jr. was the fifth of eight children.

Harry graduated from Ann Chestnut High School and Fayetteville Technical Community College in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Harry served in the United States Army and was stationed in France. After serving in Army, he returned home and was employed at the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department and became the first African American Deputy Sheriff to work in the Cumberland County Sheriff Department. Harry continued his work in law enforcement and transferred to the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division as an Agent and the first African American stationed in Forsyth County.

Harry had a deep commitment to his family and friends. He met and married Zephyree James and has been married for 64 years. To this union five children, four boys and one girl were born.

Harry was a member of Sandy Grove Free Will Baptist Church where he gave his life to Christ in 1954 and was ordained a Deacon. He credits Deacon Cicero Kelly for the positive influence on his life as a mentor and friend. Later, Harry became a member of Dreamland Park Baptist Church and serviced as a Deacon. Harry truly lived the principles and values of his faith. He believed in sharing all that God has blessed him with. Harry thrived to follow in the footsteps of his own father who set an example of opening his home to all who needed a place to stay or a meal to eat.

Harry was a community activist. He made a run for Eastover Township Constable in 1960 and was defeated. Harry was never one to shirk responsibility and would provide support with strength and compassion. He worked diligently to support the election campaign of many African American city leaders. He was a longtime friend of the late Clark S. Brown, Sr. and Walter Marshall.

Harry was a lifelong member of the NAACP where he served as Vice President of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County and a recipient of the President's Award. He was also a member of the Ionic Lodge No. 72 PHA, the King Solomon Consistory No. 64 PHA, board member of the North Carolina State Law Enforcement Association, and board member of the Winston Lake YMCA. Harry was a 32nd degree Mason.

Harry has received numerous awards from organizations throughout his lifetime, to name a few: Distinguished Citizen Award from Sophisticated Gents, Inc., MVP Appreciation Service Award from the YMCA, Trailblazers Award of Achievement from Solomon Consistory #64, and the President's Award from the NAACP.

Harry was predeceased by his brother, Abraham James and son, Ronnie (Vanessa) James.

He is survived by his wife, Zephyree James; sons, Harold Lee James and Wayne C. (Renee) James both of Kernersville, NC, and Clarence C. James of Norristown, PA; daughter Phyllis J. Alston of Kernersville, NC; daughter-in-law, Clairice James; sisters: Josephine Long, Lillian Lloyd, Elaine James of Schenectady, NY, and Mary Andrews of Fayetteville, NC; brothers, Willie James (Geri) of Colonie, NY, Larry James (Liz) of Schenectady, NY; twenty-one grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a special grandson, Antonie James of Charlotte, NC; a special niece, Vivian-Iris Lloyd of Hyattsville, MD; friends who were like brothers, Michael E. Carrigan and Timothy Byers; and a host of nephews, nieces and friends.

Public viewing from 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM, Sunday February 26, 2023 at Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral service at 2:30 PM, Monday, February 27, 2023 at Main Street United Methodist Church, Kernersville, North Carolina 27284. The family will greet friends thirty-minutes prior to service. Interment in Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, North Carolina.

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