John Larry James, 70, died peacefully at his home in Magnolia, Texas on July 21, 2018.

Larry is survived by his wife, Brenda Reder-James; daughter Alicia Forbes and husband Scott, daughter Kimberly James, son Brandon James, and daughter Jennifer James; as well as his siblings, Sidney James, Jr., Linda Batiste, Paula Hardy, and Paulette James. He is preceded in death by his parents Sidney Joseph, Sr. and Mable ( née Eaglin) James.

Larry was born on February 29, 1948 at the Church Point Sanitarium in Church Point, Louisiana, to Sidney and Mable James, and raised in nearby Sunset. He attended George Washington Carver High School, and upon graduation, moved to Los Angeles, California. He earned an Associate's Degree in Information Technology and began working at Universal Studios, later starting his own contracting business, which he ran for the remainder of his career. After adopting Brandon and Jennifer, he married Brenda Reder, a fellow Louisiana native in 1976. After relocating to Texas, the couple welcomed Alicia and Kimberly, and Larry set about teaching and instilling in them his devout Catholic faith. He was a member of St. Matthias the Apostle Catholic Church in Magnolia, Texas, where he served as an Usher and Eucharistic Minister, and was active in the Men's Club and the Knights of Columbus. His children remember him as a quietly driven man, who encouraged them to pursue their goals.

A viewing is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at Klein Funeral Home in Magnolia, with a Rosary service beginning at 7 o'clock. The funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 27, 2018 at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Tomball, with Father Thomas Hopper officiating. A repass will follow in the church reception hall. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Larry's life. Those who do not wish to send flowers, please send donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at https://donate.lls.org/lls/donate. Larry's family would like to thank their friends and family, and the communities of St. Matthias the Apostle and St. Anne's Catholic Churches.