Cecil Homer James, 86, of Bakersfield, Calif., died April 11, 2021, at his home. Mr. James had a 20-year career in the U.S. military, attaining the rank of technical staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. During his time of service, he received numerous awards and medals, among them the Airman’s Medal of Heroism, awarded to him four times for heroic actions in aerial operations against an armed enemy. He served as fire protection supervisor and performed crash and fire fight rescues. After his military retirement, he worked with Bakersfield City School District driving buses. He enjoyed regular driving, but loved the tough yearly bus driving maneuvers competitions, winning several times. He was a member of St. Peters Baptist Church and served on its Board of Deacons. He was known to be kind and caring and would help anyone in need, especially his family. Born Dec. 26, 1934, in Festus, he was the sixth of 14 children born to the late Alice (Jackson) and Jessie James Sr. He was preceded in death by his first wife: Annie Pearlene James.
He is survived by his wife: Senaida (Rojas) James of Bakersfield, Calif.; five sisters: Thelma (the late Ray Taylor Sr.) James Taylor of Herculaneum, Janet (the late Charles) James Cherry of Festus, Marva (the late Allen) James Williams of Milwaukee, Wis., Alice Faye (the late Ben) James Manning of Festus and Madeline (the late Caesar) James Sweeney of California; two
sisters-in-law: Evelyn (the late Ronnie) Zimmerman James of Kirkwood and Jessica (the late Gene Richard) James of Topeka, Kan.; two stepchildren: Frank Galloway and Melissa (Sean) Galloway Sanders; five grandchildren: Dominique Kirland, Kole Sanders, Anthony Galloway, Destin Galloway and Alexis Galloway; three great-grandchildren; an honorary niece: Kelley (Robert) Lasley, who gave heartfelt care and devotion to him; a sister beloved: Janet Cherry, who stood with him in caring sacrifice of time; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by eight siblings: Ronnie James, Earl Donald James, Charles Augustus James, Jessie James II, Sandra (James) Oliver, Patrice (James) Patton, Gene Richard James and Mary (James) Smith.
Visitation is at 10 a.m. until a funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday, April 30, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. Burial with full military honors is in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.