Nearly 100: Albert L. James, Jr.
Grady Weaver, Commander of American Legion Post #13 in Darlington, presents Albert L. James, Jr. with a Certificate of Honor at their May 12, 2016 meeting, two days before his passing. Photo by Jana E. Pye
By Jana E. Pye, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
“He nearly made it to 100.” That phrase has been shared throughout the Pee Dee, as friends and family of Albert L. “ Juny” James, Jr., shared the story of a long life well lived.
Juny was known by nearly everyone in Darlington; whether you knew him for his long career as an attorney (still practicing in his late 90’s), his love of hunting at Damon’s Gun Club, or for his warm smile and chuckle, to know him was to love him.
Just two short days before he died, Mr. James was honored by the American Legion Post #13 in Darlington with a Certificate of Honor. As he accepted the framed plaque and copy of Tom Brokaw’s book, “The Greatest Generation,” he smiled as the attendees gave him a standing ovation.
“I am quite proud of this,” he said as he sat back down, sharing a big smile. “I’m one hundred and counting.”
As Grady Weaver, Commander of American Post 13 remarked, “He raised fine young men and prepared the way for all of us to have tremendous freedom. We present this in recognition of grateful appreciation for serving in the United States Armed Forces and making freedom and democracy, liberty and independence available to all.”
In World War II, Mr. James served as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at The Citadel and in the European Theater, where he participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy and was awarded the Invasion Arrowhead, five Battle Campaign Stars, the Bronze Star, and the French Croix de Guerre. He held the rank of Major.
In a story in the News and Press about hunting in 2013, he shared that when he returned home from the war it was nearly Thanksgiving; the first thing he did was to go hunting at Damon’s.
“I saw the most beautiful things when I was in Europe,” he said. “But all I wanted to do was come back home.”
Please see his obituary at Belk Funeral Home website: Albert Law James, Jr.
