James, age 54, died Sunday, July 4, 2004 of Cancer.  He was a heavy smoker and one of those addicted to cigarettes at an early age. Another colleague's, Mike Sullivan, fate was sealed the same way. His life was cut short because of it. I was glad I was a small part in opening the files of the tobacco companies to show the world what cigarettes can do to a person. 

James had devoted most of his adult life to being a public servant for the state of Mississippi.  He had been an assistant district attorney, circuit court Judge and was one of the original Court of Appeals judges.  He was a great judge.  As a presiding judge, along with John Frasier, then chief judge, and Billy Bridges, he led the fight with the Supreme Court to allow them to become an independent court.  At that time the majority of the court felt that they were either still commissioners or senior staff attorneys at the beckon call of the Supreme court members.  James became one of the outspoken members fighting for the right to be independent of the Supreme Court.  Through their perseverance, they won and became the only appellant court to publish their opinions timely and be respected in the legal community.  they developed their own rules and learned from us of what not to do.  They did not allow the personal animosity get  in the way of deciding cases.  When James was speaking out, he knew that he would suffer the animosity of certain members of the Supreme Court and would be severely chastised.  It cost him to continue to be a presiding judge.  He did what was right.

When I was traveling in South America, I learned of his fight with cancer.  Upon arriving to Mississippi, I visited with James.  He told me was going to fight as long as he could.  I said you have to and don't resign.  He worked to the very last.  He and I both knew when I left Mississippi, that our goodbye would be the last time we would see each other.

He served Mississippi well, but more importantly he was a true friend.  James was a loving father who loved his children, a loving husband, one loyal to his staff, and a good friend to me. His life was cut short, but he still made his "mark" in Mississippi.  To all of us, he will be missed and he will not be forgotten. Good bye and farewell dear friend.