Dr. Dennis C. James, age 69, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, passed away Saturday, May 21, 2016, at Hospice of West Alabama after a long battle with lung cancer. Dr. James is survived by his sister Margaret A Carey and husband Steve, of Sullivan, MO; brother David M. James, of Sullivan, MO; nephews Ryan C. Carey and wife Rhonda, and Reece Carey; his 97 year old Aunt Georgia Lippies, of Dallas TX; and numerous cousins from Missouri and Indiana.
He was preceeded in death by his parents, Marvin and Ann James; grandparents, Harlan and Ida James, and Charles and Naomi Henry, and infant sister Dianne.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service was held on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at the Sunset Funeral home of Tuscaloosa, AL where family, friends, and colleagues reflected upon Dr. James life, accomplishments, and shared experiences. There were twelve friends of Dr. James who spoke at the service. Dr. James, who was known to friends and family as Denny, or DJ, was born on January 20, 1947 and was a native of Sullivan, MO, where he spent his childhood and youth. Dr. James attended St. Anthony Grade School and graduated from Sullivan High School in 1965. He received his Bachelor of Science in Home Economics in 1969 followed by his Master of Arts degree in Interior Design in 1971 from the University of Missouri. He received his Doctor of Philosophy from the University Of Tennesee in 1977.
Dr. James joined the faculty in the College of Human Environmental Science, Department of Interior design at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, as an Instructor in 1971 to begin a career that spanned 33 years. Over time, Dr. James rose through the ranks retiring as Associate Professor Emeritus in August 2004. Throughout Dr. James professional career, he was known as an energetic participant, an innovator, and early adopter of technology in the classroom. He was known as a great teacher and a productive scholar. Dr. James served on numerous campus wide committees, such as the UA Research Advisory Board, and 15 years of service with theAccreditation Committee, which involved trips to Universities all over the country.
Dr. James leisure activities included his favorite sport of swimming, and was a great booster of the YMCA. He was a long time member of the UA Gourmet Club, and greatly enjoyed his many years of volunteer time with the DCH hospital.
He was a great fan of automotive innovation, and always enjoyed the latest car designs. He greatly enjoyed traveling, both foreign and domestic.
He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and colleagues at the University.