John Thomas James II

John Thomas James II

May 10, 1951 –  September 7, 2024

JOHN THOMAS JAMES II (73) passed away suddenly, but peacefully early the morning of September 7, 2024, with his wife and family by his side. Born on May 10, 1951, John lived a full and vibrant life from beginning to end, and touched the lives of many people along the way.

John was born in Omaha to John T. James, Sr., and Elizabeth Jean Forsythe (James) Lintner, both who preceded him in death. He was baptized at Trinity Cathedral in Omaha, confirmed at Church of the Holy Family (now site of Chabad of Nebraska) and later changed his membership to First Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head in South Carolina. John attended Burke-Beveridge High School and completed courses at Metro Community College.  He was previously married and was blessed with two sons, Kyle Matthew James and Christopher Ryan James. John worked at various jobs in his early years, from farrier at a race horse ranch to long haul driving for Hills Brothers Transportation. He started working for American Business Group/First Data marketing department in 1987, and took his skills for Marian’s sales in 1993 to ParentReach, an emergency alert and mass notifications service, retiring May, 2021, during COVID.

In March of 2011, John had his first date with Kathleen R Joyner Wood. Kathy had also been previously married. At the time they met, Kathy was a student at Creighton University, completing her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. John was very supportive of her schooling and the travel required for her medical rotations.  John would assist Kathy with her father’s care while she was away; Mr Joyner was failing in health from lung cancer. Kathy said of their first date “he captured my heart” and on August 15, 2015, John and Kathy were united in marriage by Judge Robert Vandross, a friend of John’s and a fellow Shriner, who charged John during the ceremony to “kiss her every night before you go to sleep and tell her every day you love her.” John never broke that promise. In fact, his favorite line was “did I tell you today I loved you” and even if he had she’d tell him “No, so tell me again.”

John was a member in good standing for over 20 years at John J. Mercier Masonic Lodge #290 and Tangier Shrine, both in Omaha, NE. He served as Director of the Greeters Unit in 2010, and as Director of the Special Peoples Performance Day at the Shrine Circus for several years. He volunteered his time and energy to serving the Shriners organizations and his community no matter where he lived. While living in South Carolina he volunteered with Pockets Full of Sunshine, a non profit organization for adults with developmental disabilities. While living in Kirksville, MO, John helped in providing and delivering groceries to families in the region who were facing financial difficulties. Before marrying Kathy, John assisted in the care of two long-time friends and fellow Shriners who were experiencing debilitating illness.

John was a dedicated Nebraska Cornhusker fan, and even when traveling, John and Kathy would find a sports bar to watch the games…he could always find other fans along his travels. His loyalty to the Huskers is reflected in his email address (jtj2gobigred) and ending texts to fellow Huskers friends with GBR.  He had one friend in particular that he’d exchange celebratory calls and texts with during the games, and he always gave Kathy a kiss when the team scored or made an interception.

John was an ace pool player (aka pool shark) and per his sons and some friends, somewhat of a hustler; he had won competitions in the Midwest region. He loved to go Wednesday evenings to the local pool hall in Corpus Christi, TX, and was politely asked once by the server to “try and lose some” because it was scaring away the other regulars and her tips.  He continued to go but with a “warning” from Kathy that he could only win two games, and that was against a good friend.

John and Kathy enjoyed traveling and had crisscrossed the Americas from Canada to Mexico and East to West coasts. With John’s gregarious personality they met and developed friendships with people from all over. But always their favorite place to go was South Padre Island, TX,  where they enjoyed not only the sun, surf, and marine life but the majestic beauty of the sunrises and sunsets.

He loved to research the Forysthe family history, which extended back to the Mayflower, and was a Civil War buff. John and Kathy were blessed to have a private guided tour in Beaufort, SC, the first southern city to be conquered by the Union. The guide, also somewhat of a Civil War enthusiast, and John got into a long conversation about the different battles and the generals/armies that went through Beaufort area, making the 45 minute tour into 2 hours.

Because John and Kathy both had children by a previous marriage, they committed to accepting and supporting each other’s children as their own. When Kathy ‘s son and daughter had babies, John was thrilled to become Opa.  He loved to make the babies laugh with weird faces, raspberries, and his red foam nose; he’d read them stories, blow bubbles, and attend their special events.  He was even caught dancing with the first granddaughter to “Moana” and “Frozen.”

On August 31, 2024, John was blessed to be able to attend the wedding of his youngest son, Christopher, and to welcome Chris’s beautiful bride, Eloisa Estrada, into the family.

John is survived by his loving wife, Dr. Kathleen R. Joyner James, OTD, his sons, Kyle and Christopher (Eloisa), both of Omaha; his sister, Cari James Ladson (Calvin) of Yulee, FL; niece, Tiffany Rennie Carman (Matthew) DeBeque, CO; nephew, Jeffrey Rennie of Omaha, NE; great-nephew, Wyatt Carman (son of Tiffany and Matthew) DeBeque, CO; stepchildren: Joel Wood (Amber) of Tulsa, OK, Rebekah Wood Miller (Shayne) of Omaha, Anastassia J Wood of Broken Arrow, OK; and the five beautiful grandchildren he shared with Kathy: Emerson Grace Wood, Charles Wilson Wood, Ira Jean Miller, and the twins, Stevie Lynn and Moishe Solomon Miller; as well as several cousins.

The family is holding a CELEBRATION OF LIFE, Saturday, September 28, 2024, at West Center Chapel, 7805 W Center Road, Omaha. In honor of his commitment to the Masonic community, MASONIC SERVICES will be performed by John J. Mercer Lodge #290 at 1:30 pm with MEMORIAL SERVICE to follow at 2 p.m.

Light refreshments and Visitation will take place after the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are kindly suggested to the Tangier Shriners Transportation Fund, a service that provides transportation to children and their parents to Shriners Children Hospitals; which was very dear to John’s heart.

To view a live Broadcast of the Services, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click on the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.