Laurance "Jesse" James, Jr.

August 9, 1954 – January 1, 2019

Millville, NJ­

Laurance "Jesse" James, Jr. passed away January 1, 2019 after a brief, but difficult battle with lung cancer. Larry was known for his unique personality that was accompanied by a dark sense of humor and obscure quotes, his meticulousness and organization, and his generosity towards friends and family.

Shortly following his graduation from Millville High School, Larry was drafted and proudly served in the Navy aboard the U.S.S. Truett (FF-1095) during Vietnam. Larry traveled around the globe and obtained his one and only tattoo of Dennis the Menace ^© , which was an embodiment of his mischievous side.

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Larry headed off to Chile in South America to work as a logger. After a few years, Larry returned and began his adventures in the U.S. in the hopes of reaching California. His travels would bring him no farther than Lumberton, TX, where he worked on the oil rigs as an instrumentation engineer for MD Totco. In Texas, Larry met his wife Lori, and they shared their first kiss at midnight on New Year's Eve 1983. Larry and Lori would marry 3 months shortly thereafter. In March of 1985, they would have their first child Ashley.

Larry and his budding family returned to his home state in 1986, and he began work at Durand Glass Manufacturing Co. While at Durand, Larry worked in the Electrical Shop and in Quality Control later in his career, retiring after 31 years. He spent 2 wonderful years in retirement and shared his last kiss with his wife at midnight on New Year's Eve 2018, thus bringing their marriage of nearly 35 years full circle.

Larry loved spending time outdoors and could often be found searching for solitude in his shed, caring for his garden, grilling his well-loved barbeque chicken, or partaking in a beer and a laugh in his "Tiki Bar" and hijinks with friends down in Fortescue. Larry had a penchant for picking up strays, both animals and people, and enjoyed prank wars with friends and family. He was a John's Bar alumni, and a member of the American Legion Nabb Leslie Post #82 and the Millville Eagles Aerie #1836.

Larry is survived by his wife Lori James, daughters Ashley (Stephen) Crewell and Sara James, sisters Maureen (Arthur) Weldy and Charlotte (Hugh "Tony") Boyle, 3 grand-daughters Kaylee, Jordyn, and Sammi Crewell, and many nieces and nephews. Larry is predeceased by his parents Laurance and Helena James, Sr., sister Elaine Lore, and his two beloved dogs Sonny and Cotton.

Friends and relatives are invited to Barr Funeral Home in Millville, NJ on Friday, January 4. The viewing will be held from 9 am – 11 am and will be followed by a short service and then burial at Greenwood Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made to the Veterans Multi Service at 415 N. High Street, Millville, NJ 08332 or the South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter .