Thomas James - Obituary

homas Gordon James, 78, a 51-year resident of Fort Washington, Maryland passed away on June 4, 2023 at Inova Alexandria Hospital ending three years of valiantly surviving lung cancer. Thomas was born on January 26, 1945 in Harlem, New York to the late William Everett Gordon and Catherine Amelia Cecelia James (nee Charles). He attended public schools in his Harlem neighborhood finishing his public school education at the High School of Music & Art, a public specialized high school colloquially known as "The Castle on the Hill," located then in the campus of the City College of New York. He majored in art and, loving music, he sang in the school chorus and All City Chorus. Post high school he attended The Manhattan School of Music, a private music conservatory, for one year before entering the army. Thomas served as a sergeant of a casket team at Arlington National Cemetery and later as a reservist after relocating to Washington DC and joining the Metropolitan Police Department. There he served for over twenty years while completing his college studies with a degree in Criminal Justice from American University. He finished his career at the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Police Department. Thomas enjoyed crosswords, word finds, and his grandchildren. Always ready with a lap and a book, and, introduced to jazz by a High School friend it became a lifelong joy, passion, and comfort. In addition to his parents, Thomas was preceded in death by his brothers William Alfred Gordon and Eugene James. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Beatrice Cooper James; his children, Gordon Christopher James (Ingrid Evette nee Travis) and Crystal Elizabeth James; his grandchildren, Astrid Camille, Makenzie Victoria, and Gabriel Evan; his beloved nieces Daisy Heredia (Fernando), Diane Cooper, and Carolyn Cooper, his niece and playmate Stella Gordon; and a host of cousins, great and great-great-nieces, great and great great-nephews, and cherished friends. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Thomas’ life on Saturday, June 24,2023at 11 am at St, John’s Episcopal Church Broad Creek, 9801 Livingston, Fort Washington MD 20744 with burial immediately following the service in the church graveyard. The services will be live-streamed on both Facebook.com/StJohnsBroadCreek and YouTube. https://tinyurl.com/SJBC-at-YouTube-June-24-2023