Frank Allen James, Jr.

I’m writing this to let you know that on September 30, 2026, I finally made it home to Heaven. My journey from VCU was peaceful, surrounded by the people who loved me and held me close until I took my final breath. I was born on August 10, 1957, in Staunton, Virginia, to Frank A. James Sr. and Margie Weaver James, and was raised in Weyers Cave, where I spent most of my life.

I graduated from Fort Defiance High School in 1975 and was a member of the school choir and Future Farmers of America. My favorite class in school was Ag which is where I developed my love for welding which became my lifelong career. After graduating high school, I worked at Ceero Fabrications, Schickel's Machine Shop, Cave Hill Mechanical and in 1987 I started my own company, F. A. James Mechanical Maintenance where I proudly and successfully served the Shenandoah Valley and later contracted with Luckstone Quarries until 2005. I then went to work for Innovative Refrigeration and Crosby Trailer Shop. I eventually retired from Blauch Brothers in February of 2024 where I had the pleasure of running the fabrication shop. I spent my life working hard, getting my hands dirty, and helping anybody who needed it. Welding wasn't just my job; it was something I could do to help people, whether at work or around the community. Those who knew me best would joke there was nothing broken that I couldn’t fix.

I treasured anytime spent with my family. If I wasn’t doing that you could probably find me in the woods, on the water, riding through the mountains, or doing just about anything outdoors. I loved hunting, fishing, horseback riding, attending truck and tractor pulls, listening to bluegrass music or tinkering with anything I could get my hands on.

In my younger years, I was a member of The Buffalo Trail Riders, Lebanon Church of the Brethren where I also spent many years playing for their softball team and Marquis Memorial United Methodist Church. My quiet but steadfast faith in the Lord and the values I lived by were important parts of my life. I never claimed to have all the answers, but I believed in doing right by people and showing up when someone needed me. I also believed a good meal needed two things: meat and potatoes and that life is too short not to have a good laugh, sometimes until you cry.

Life wasn't always easy; I overcame many setbacks throughout life but my hard-fought battle with non-alcoholic cirrhosis was one of the toughest fights I faced. But if there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I was stubborn. I didn't give up easily, and I tried to face life's challenges the best way I knew how which usually involved some humor. My greatest pride was my children, and my greatest joy was my grandchildren. They were my biggest blessings, and I hope I've passed along a little of my stubbornness, my love of nature, my strong work ethic, and my appreciation for the simple things in life. If I taught them anything, I hope it was to be honest, work hard, love God, help others, that you can never say I love you too much and to make the most of the time they're given.

I'll be joining my parents, Frank A. James Sr. and Margie Weaver (James); my sister, Becky Trimble; my aunt, Hattie Dunn; my uncle, C.F. Weaver; and my beloved cousins, Mertie and Vance Landram, and lifelong friend Steve Breeden who went on before me.

There are many people I loved and cared for over the years that I'll be leaving behind, my life partner for the last 16 years, Diane Lambert and her two children Nicole and Adam. Kathy Wright, with whom I share a son, Sharon James with whom I share 3 daughters, and my fourteen grandchildren. There was no greater joy than being their Pappy. My eyes shined a little brighter, my smile came a little easier, and my heart was never fuller than when they were around.

My son, Allen James (Tabby), and grandchildren Hayleigh, Ally, Addy, Abby, and Xander of Harrisonburg; my daughters, Natasha James of Craigsville, and grandchildren Shyann and Ryker Mercer; Melanie Glendye (Garrett), and grandsons Wesley, Lucas, and Joshua of Staunton; Jessica James, and grandchildren Tyler, Cooper, Addaline, and Lainey of Waynesboro. Lifelong friends, Malcolm "Skeeter" Campbell, Buck Lam (Tonya), Adonica Alexander, Marian and Dickey Fauver, along with numerous cousins, extended family members, and my fellow hunt club members. Thank you for the friendship, the stories, the good times, and all the memories we've made together.

My final wishes were to be cremated with no viewing. All those who loved and cared for me will be able to gather to celebrate my life, share stories, and remember the good times. A celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Cornerstone Church of Augusta. Johnson’s Funeral & Cremation Service in Grottoes will be handling my cremation; flowers may be sent to Cornerstone.

I wanted to mention a heartfelt thank you to all of my caretakers. I received nothing but the best from the doctors, nurses, and folks that sat with me through this last year. Their knowledge, care, compassion and love along with all the prayers sent up on my behalf were what helped give me the strength to fight as hard as I did. Also, a huge thank you to everyone that provided childcare for my grandchildren, which allowed my children to be by my side every time at a moment’s notice.

I may be leaving this world, but I hope I leave behind more than just memories. I hope I leave behind a little laughter, a lot of love, and a reminder that a good life isn't about what you own or how much you accomplish. It's about the people you love, the hands you lend, the work you do, and the time you spend enjoying the blessings God gives you. So don't just remember me with tears. Remember me when you hear a good joke, when you catch a fish, when you ride through the mountains, when you sit down to a good plate of meat and potatoes, or when you're out in the woods enjoying the beauty God created and when life gets hard, when you aren't sure how things will work out, or when you wish you could hear my voice just one more time, remember what I'd tell you.

"It'll be alright."

Now, I reckon it's time for me to rest. The work is done, the tools are laid down, and I've got a heavenly home waiting for me.

May the woods be full, the fish be biting, the mountains be beautiful, and the laughter never end.

Love y'all. I'll see you again someday.