Forrest L. James

Corfu—Forrest L. James, 89, of Corfu, and a former resident of Fillmore, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday morning, January 9, 2025, at his home with his wife by his side, where he lived with his daughter and son-in-law, Ray and Julie Burkhardt. He was born on February 16, 1935, in Short Tract, a son of the late Lynn and Margaret Irish James. On July 17, 1954, he married Laura Watson who survives.

Forrest attended Fillmore Central School. In 1997 he retired from NYS Corrections in Sonya. He also worked as a welder and truck driver. His real love was working on vehicles, especially tractors.

Forrest loved his Lord, Jesus Christ, and was a member of the Portageville Community Baptist Church. He enjoyed reading his Bible, talking about his Lord and loved singing and reading the great hymns of the faith.

He loved camping and traveling to Florida with his fifth-wheel camper (spending time with his son, Stuart), and trips to Wisconsin (spending time with daughter, Ginnie).

Surviving in addition to his wife of seventy and a half years are their children, Stuart (Beth) James of Arcadia, FL; Julie (Ray) Burkhardt, Corfu, Ginnie Sconzert of Stevens Point, WI; Brady (Jill) James of Rew, PA;  nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, his siblings, Glennis James of Short Tract, Charles (Onalee) James of Warsaw, Dorothy (Glenn) Abel of Houghton, Thomas James of Warsaw, Glenn (Lana Raye) James of Athens, TX, and Carol James of Short Tract and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Forrest is predeceased by his four brothers, Theodore, Laverne, David and Alton, three sisters-in-law, Philis, Phyllis, and Laura and two sons-in-law, Frances Sconzert, Randall Kelley, and a daughter-in-law, Beth.

A memorial service will be held at the Portageville Community Baptist Church, 6664 Pike St., Portageville, NY on April 12, 2025, at 11:00 AM.