Terry Lee James, age 80, of Lonsdale, left this world on Friday, February 21, 2025 to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Heaven. Terry was born on July 3, 1944 in Lonsdale, to Earl and Roy James. He is preceded in death by his parents and three brothers Roland James, Nolan James and Darrel James.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Diann Rouse James, brother Bert (Sharon), sons Roy (Kim), Nick (Stacy), grandchildren Ayva, Ella and Reid.

Terry grew up in the small community of Crows on Narrows Road. It was there on the Middle Fork of the Saline River where his four older brothers taught him how to swim at a very young age by throwing him off the bank into the deep water. "Swim or drown" they said. Terry was the baby of the family so the brothers always did their best to toughen him up. Terry attended school at Owensville, and later at Fountain Lake. After graduating from high school he joined the Army and served as Military Police in Germany for two years. Once back home, he went to work at the Reynolds/Alcoa plant in Malvern where he worked for over twenty years. During that time he also started his own electrical business, James Electric. He worked two jobs throughout most of his 20's and 30's to be able to provide for his family. He would do his electrical work during the day, come home and sleep for a few hours, then go work the night shift at the plant. He once told me that every night before leaving home to go work at the plant he would have to come into the bedroom and look at my brother and I sleeping for motivation to go. There were hard times back then, but we always had what we needed because of his dedication and hard work. He was a provider in every sense of the word. Once retired from Alcoa, James Electric was in full swing. From around 1980-2025 he employed almost everyone in the Crows community at some point or another. Anytime someone was between jobs or needed work, he provided for them too. His work ethic rubbed off on so many people. And anyone that has ever worked for him has countless memories and stories to tell from those times. He worked all the way to the end. Even at 80 years of age he was still going.

Terry was a pillar of the community and active member of Gravel Hill Baptist Church. He served on several committees at the church, where he was a member his entire life. Many stories still get told to this day from his time as coach of the Gravel Hill softball team back in the late 90's. He told it like it was, you never had to wonder what he was thinking. Many people who asked him for advice immediately regretted it, but found out later that he was right. To him, every problem had a simple solution. Overweight? Don't eat so much. Can't sleep? Clear your conscience. Depressed? Get over it. He just had a way of simplifying things. Above all, he was a God fearing man that loved his family. He made us go to church every Sunday. He read his Bible every day. He set an example that will be hard to follow and he will be missed! But his wise, sarcastic spirit and his priceless one-liners will live on through the many of us that his life affected.

Visitation will be 11:00 to 12:00 noon Wednesday, February 26 at Gravel Hill Baptist Church with services beginning at 12:00 noon.  Burial will follow at Gravel Hill Cemetery.  Bro. Gary Gipson and Bro. Clarence Shell, Jr. will be officiating.