Thomas William James, Sr., 86, departed this life on November 24, 2016 at 1:45 p.m. at his residence. Husband of Avola S. James for 63 wonderful years and a lifelong resident of Bartlett, TN. Born August 16, 1930 in Memphis, TN to Benjamin F. and Joselle Carter James. He graduated from Bartlett High School in 1948 and was a veteran of the Korean War. Tom loved and provided for his family by working as a self-employed general contractor for 40 years. He enjoyed watching sports, the great outdoors of hunting and fishing with dear friends all of his life. Tom was a faithful parishioner of St. Ann Catholic Church Bartlett for 62 years. He is survived by his wife Avola and his children, Becky Sevier, Mark James (Carla), Anthony James (Kim) and Andrea Brown, his brother Ben James, Jr., seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Will James (Linda). Visitation will be 1 p.m. Monday, November 28 until service begins at 2 p.m. at Forest Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park, East with interment following. The family requests that memorials be directed to St. Ann Catholic Church or to Methodist Hospice.