ROCHELLE — Jim Britt “J.B.” James, 83, passed away peacefully Monday, Dec. 28, 2020 at the KSB Hospital in Dixon. He was born March 12, 1937 in Nunnelly, Tennessee, the son of C.B. and Jimmie Lea (Connelly) James. He married Joyce Mason on March 21, 1969 at the Athens Christian Church in Athens, Tennessee.

Jim was a huge people person; he knew everyone because he talked to everyone. He was very compassionate and loving, a down to earth person who was never really fazed by much. He was more than a friend, he was like your father or brother who liked to joke around. Jim was passionate about searching for Indian relics in his home state of Tennessee. He was a member of the Rochelle United Methodist Church, Golden K of Rochelle, and the Horicon Masonic Lodge #244. Jim was a loving and devoted husband, father, and cat lover of Sunny who followed him everywhere. 

Jim is survived by his wife of 51 years, Joyce Mason James; daughter, Megan Brittany James of Long Beach, California; son, David James; brother, Bob (Mary Helen) James of Centerville, Tennessee; sister, Brenda (Grant) Robinson of Hendsersonville, Tennessee; brother-in-law, Howard (Bobbie) Mason of Hilliard, Florida; sister-in-law, Bella Mason of Norwood, Ohio; numerous special nieces and nephews; and the special Garbisch family.

In addition to his parents, Jim is preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Ashli Ann James; brother, Bill James; sister Barbara White, and infant sister Beverly James; and a brother-in-law, Elden Mason.

A private family funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 2 at the Rochelle United Methodist Church with Pastor Rob Hamilton officiating. The funeral service will be live streamed on the Unger-Horner Funeral Home Facebook page. Interment and graveside service will follow in Lawnridge Cemetery in Rochelle.

Please visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.