Jessie James

Born January 18, 1932 in Stringtown, Oklahoma to Frank and Susan (Wilson) James and passed from this life on July 31, 2023 in Lancaster, CA.

Preceded in death by his wife of 63 years Jacqueline "Jackie" (Hembree) James (May 20, 2018).  Jackie and Jessie were married on February 5, 1955 in Las Vegas, Nev. They moved to the Antelope Valley in 1957.

Jessie was a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and served in the United States Air Force.  Upon moving to the Antelope Valley, Jessie started his career as a flight line inspector with Lockheed Corporation where he worked on some of our most famous airplanes, the SR-71 Blackbird, U-2 Dragon Lady, F-117 Nighthawk and F-104 Starfighter.  He was most proud of his time and his contributions at Area 51. Jessie retired after 30 plus years from Lockheed.

During his early years in the Antelope Valley, Jessie bowled in many leagues, loved to golf and fish.  Both he and Jackie were very involved in the Palmdale High School Band Boosters club and many nonprofit organizations over the years.

Jessie was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Susan James; Brothers Frank Richard, David, brother-in-law Otto Flowers, sister-in-laws Mary James, Wilma James and Son-in-law Al Giraud.  Jessie is survived by daughters Deborah James of Lancaster, CA, Patricia Bach of Clemmons, NC and Tanya Velasquez and husband Michael Velasquez of Castaic, CA, his brothers Jack, Bill, Paul and sisters Dorothy Flowers, Ruth Wayman and Carol Bartlett; six grandchildren Adam Bach (Kiley) of Advance, NC, Justin Bach (Erin) of Kannapolis, NC, Jessica Driggers (Rodney Driggers) of Glen St Mary, FL, Eric Velasquez of Monterey Park, CA, Matthew and Allison Velasquez of Castaic, CA.  He has been blessed with seven great-grandchildren, Sebastian and Caroline Bach, Chloe, Henry and Tanner Driggers, Maggie and Layla Bach.

The family would like to thank Pacita Gambrell for her love, compassion and care shown to their father for the past 2 years.

A celebration of life for Jessie and Jackie will be held in their home State of Oklahoma on October 14, 2023.