Jim Ray James, age 49, of Sioux Falls, S.D. formerly of Sioux City died suddenly Monday afternoon in Sioux Falls.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday May 14, 2011 at Third Presbyterian Church in Sioux City. Per his wishes Mr. James will be cremated following the funeral service. Visitation will be held Friday from 5-8pm at the church.
Jim was born in Sioux City on October 4, 1961. He spent his early years in Sergeant Bluff before moving to Sioux City. He attended and graduated from Sioux City Community Schools, following his graduation he attended Western Iowa Tech and studied woodworking.
Jim was a recognized leader in woodworking for most of his life, his work was known as being some of the finest ever done in the Midwest. He also was an artist who enjoyed drawing. He was a loyal longtime fan of the Washington Redskins and the New York Yankees. He enjoyed going to air and car shows. He often spoke of his first car his 1965 Corvette and still enjoyed talking about his 1969 Camero which he still owned. He was an avid exerciser who ran four miles each day 365 days a year. Jim was an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Nation.
He will be missed by his family which includes his mother Margaret Brieland of Sioux City, his brother Paul James of Sioux City along with his two nieces Sunnie and Miles, along with many other aunts, uncles and cousins as well as his many friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his father Delbert Brieland and his maternal grandparents & Isaac and Evelyn James.