Gregory Lee James

Gregory Lee James, age 63, stepped into eternity on August 7, 2021 after a two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Greg passed away at his home in Euclid, Ohio. He was under the care of Hospice of the Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Greg was born in Gallipolis, Ohio on September 30, 1957, to Johnny James Jr. and Edna Joanne Payne Bass, who predeceased him.

Greg married high school sweetheart, Janice Harper on August 27, 1977 at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.

Greg attended Rio Grande College after graduation from high school and excelled at basketball while playing for the Redmen. Greg was an avid sports fan, participating in basketball, baseball and track at North Gallia High School. He later coached Rinky Dink basketball at Bidwell-Porter Elementary and boys’ basketball for North Gallia Jr. High School for a couple of years. He was also an Assistant Basketball Coach for Euclid Jr. High alongside his son. Greg played traveling softball for so many years with Brothers of Soul, RC, Barons, Foodland, Strout Realty, High Rollers, and he played in several local basketball leagues after college as well.  

Greg and his family lived in Bidwell, Ohio for most of his life, moving to Euclid, Ohio upon retirement from Ohio Valley Electric Corporation after 32 years of service. Greg was also a master at barbecuing, which he greatly enjoyed, often cooking for family, friends and neighbors.

Greg is survived by his wife and sons, Greg James II and Joey James, of Euclid Ohio as well as sisters, Carol Petty, Lori Lafferty and Raelene Holland of Bidwell Ohio, brother-in-law John Harper of Gallipolis, Ohio, sisters-in-law Paula (Keith) Jackson of Alvin, Texas and Sylvia Hammack of Richmond, Ohio, as well as five grandchildren: Jordan James; Paige Taylor; Brooklyn James; Kobe James; Gregory James III and several special nieces and nephews and special friend Mary Cordell. Greg had a special bond with “brother” and “sister” cousins Dave Boyd, Terry Payne, Richard Payne and Donna Boyd. He was also preceded in death by brothers-in-law, Greg Lafferty, Robert Hammack and George Petty and nephew, Tony Petty, father-in-law, John Harper, and mother-in-law, Emilia Harper.  Pallbearers will be Jim Gilmore, Jason Payne, Terrance Payne, Raysean Allen, Jonathan Birchfield, Keith Jackson II. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Howell, Terry Payne, Richard Payne, David Boyd, John Gordon, Elder Sherman Johnson, Larry Howell Jr., Chris Howell. 

Calling hours will be held at The McCoy-Moore Funeral Home, Weatherholt Chapel in Gallipolis, Ohio on Friday, August 13, 2021 from 5-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Bidwell, Ohio on Saturday, August 14 at 1:00 p.m. with the Reverend Gene Armstrong officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Street Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 300 E. 185th Street, Cleveland, Ohio, 44119

Online condolences may be sent to the family via www.mcccoymoore.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gregory Lee James, please visit our floral store.