Dr. Harold D. James
Dr. Harold D. James, 87, of Buncombe died at 6:10 a.m. Monday, April 17, 2023, at his home.
He was born on Feb. 1, 1936, in Williamson County, the son of Marion Westbrook and Myrtle Mae Boomer James.
He married Frances Elizabeth Allen James. She survives.
He moved to the Pleasant Grove community in Johnson County in the early 1940s. He graduated from the one-room schoolhouse in Pleasant Grove.
He attended and graduated from Vienna High School in 1954.
In 1958, he received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Illinois and his doctorate of veterinary medicine in 1960 from the University of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine.
From 1960 to 1962, Dr. James was a captain in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Long Island, N.Y., at the Air Defense Command, 52nd Fighter Group.
After serving in the Air Force, he moved to Carmi in the fall of 1962 and started a private practice vet clinic until 1963.
In 1964, he joined Dr. Joe Meller in Anna and eventually they became partners to establish Meller-James Veterinary Professional Clinic.
Dr. James was a former member of the Anna Kiwanis Club, the Anna District No. 37 School Board, president of the Shawnee College Citizens Advisory Committee and a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association since 1960.
Some of his favorite pastime activities were traveling, reading, boating, fishing and spending time with his family.
Dr. James joined the First Christian Church on Feb. 12, 1964, became an elder and was currently an elder emeritus.
Along with his wife, he is survived by sons Allen James (Barbara Flamm James) and Stuart James (Lisa Gray James); grandchildren Nick James (Kara), Carly Holtkamp (Travis), Brady James (Kenzie), Tristan James (Brandon Azoulai) and Colton James (Amy); great-grandchildren Jayla, Leonard, Tate and Tenley; sister Marilyn Berry (Steve); nieces Michele (Cary) Oliver and Suzanne (Rick) Fox; great-nieces Shawna (Tyler) Solomon and Jordi Oliver; great-great-niece Mara Solomon; and stepbrother,Gene (Joan) Teal.
Visitation for Dr. James will be Sunday, April 23, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Monday, April 24, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the First Christian Church at 200 Mallard Ln. in Anna.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 24, at the First Christian Church in Anna, with Dee Armes and Joey Hawkins officiating.
Interment will follow the funeral services at Allen Cemetery in Buncombe.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that memorials be made to First Christian Church and/or to the College of Veterinary Medicine Achievement Fund at the University of Illinois. Envelopes will be available at the church and at Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro.
Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements.