James Garland James

James Garland James

February 13, 1934- June 01, 2025

On Sunday June 01, 2025 the world lost a Legend, Jim passed away from complications of a heart attack, while doing what he loved, bowling.  James ( Jim) Garland James was born on February 13, 1934 to Freeman James and Susie, Friend James in Frametown, West Virginia. He was the fourth child, out of 9. He graduated from Gassaway High school in 1953. He then went on to join the United States Army where he served 2 years, being stationed in West Virginia, South Carolina and finally Dugway Utah. After an evening with his army buddies, he came across a beautiful young lady working at the Greyhound Post House, where he stopped to ask to borrow $20 for a ride back to the base. He returned not only to give that young lady her money back, but to ask her out. He married that girl, Donna Godfrey out of Salt Lake on April 24, 1957 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Together they had two boys Kevin and Randy, and later on gained permanent guardianship of Steve Walker. Jim started working for Associated Foods after leaving the Army, and worked there for 41 years. After retiring Jim and Donna traveled often, long trips in the motorhome ( many of them over the years) back to West Virginia. They eventually packed up and moved, making their forever home in Ivins Utah. Jim was an active member of the Foresters for many years, and enjoyed many activities with them. After moving to Ivins, they spent a lot of time traveling, especially to Bouse, Az. for extended amounts of time with their Rv friends. Jim spent the last few years of his life enjoying what he loved, golfing and bowling with his son Randy. Jim was active on 2 bowling leagues at the time of his passing, he “ Just has to get a strike”. He also enjoyed attending any school activities or programs for his great grandchildren, including never missing any of his great grandsons football games, even if it required travel. Jim’s other great passion in life was his jam. And if you knew him, you knew. As his great granddaughter would say “ It is hypnotizing!”. Jim is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 68 years, Donna Godfrey James, his sons Kevin James , and Randy (Kathy) James, his sisters, all of West Virginia, Wilma (Paul) Davis, Dorothy (Valgene) Mclaughlin, Neva Sigman, Judy James and Martha (Rowland) Young. Grandchildren Jeremy (Vale) James, Heidi (Rick) St John, Dawna (Chad) Forcht, Raylynn (Jay) Atkinson, Kerstan (Carlos) James, Klayton James and Dustin Walker. 18 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren. Many nieces and nephews, and too many friends to count! Jim was preceded in death by his parents Freeman and Susie, his 3 older brothers, Robert James, William James and Kenneth James, his brother in law Jake Sigman, all out of West Virginia and his son Steve Walker. 

A celebration of life will be held Saturday June 14, 2025 at Unity Park 200 W 400 S in Ivins Utah from 3:30pm-6 pm.