Jerry James Obituary

Jerry Dale James, Sr. was born on April 3, 1945, in Stuttgart, Arkansas, and was sent to his eternal home on July 4, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. He was the beloved son of Floyd Melvin James and Lafelia Ava Hall. His passing has left a void in the hearts of his family, friends, and many more whose lives were touched by him. We ask that you remember him not for the way his life ended, but for the way it was lived, and for the profound impact it had on the lives of those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Jerry served in the US Air Force active and Air Force Reserves with 20 years of service as a maintenance chief/technician at the rank of Master Sergeant. Master Sergeant Jerry James having served faithfully and honorably was retired from the United States Air Force Reserves on the twelfth day of December 1989.
Jerry had more than 35 years of technical and regulatory experience related to airworthiness and aviation safety.
Jerry was an Aviation Safety Inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). During his career with the FAA Jerry served as a Certificate Manager of a large, certificated airline as well as a Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) both in the Air carrier District Office and the General Aviation District Office. As Certificate Manager he had overall responsibility for Operations, Maintenance, and Avionics oversight of airline daily activities, interfacing with upper-level airline management. As a PMI he functioned as the primary airworthiness interface between assigned air carriers, air operators, air agencies and the FAA.
Jerry had program responsibility to assure that assigned organizations met Federal Aviation Regulations with respect to operations, maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alteration programs. Jerry had participated in the Regional Aviation Safety Inspection Program and the National Aviation Safety Inspection Program.
Before his retirement from the FAA, Jerry was instrumental in assisting other Government agency, specific airline, and system manufacturer in becoming the first FAA Certificated Global Position System Operator.
After retirement from the FAA, Jerry participated in numerous aviation consulting projects for various U.S and International Regulatory requirements with respect to operations, maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alteration programs while operating to a high level of safety.
Prior to his employment with the FAA, Jerry was a Quality Assurance Specialist with the Army Plant Representative at Bell Helicopter and Air Force Plant Representative at General Dynamics, for the U.S. government. Jerry had an oversight of contractor quality assurance programs during the manufacturing or repair processes of complex aircraft, parts, components, and assemblies.
Jerry earned an Associate in Applied Science from Tarrant County Junior College, Ft. Worth, Texas, and additional studies through USAF Air University with specialization in Aviation. He is a graduate of the Air University Senior Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Program, and International Correspondence Schools in Industrial Management. He holds a Single Engine Private Pilot Certificate as well as an Airframe and Power Plant Certification from the FAA. Since the early 1970's Jerry has been recognized and received numerous awards from civilian and government flight departments for his commitment to the aviation industry.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Lafelia James; his brothers Floyd Melvin James Jr (aka Sandy), Carl Douglas James (aka Doug), and Felix Hall James (aka Felix); his sisters Fanny Rae Adkins (aka Rae), and Donna Jean Stewart.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 38 years Estella Lopez James of Midlothian, TX; his son Jerry Dale James, Jr (Jadey) and his wife Jaime of Grandview, TX; his daughter Tiffany Joyce Simpson and her husband Vernon of Iowa Park, TX. Jerry is also survived by his younger sister, Polly Dabbs of Cabot, Arkansas. He also leaves behind his grandchildren: Jordyn, Jadyn, and Jaley James; Kaleb, Greyson, Garrison, Everleigh Simpson, Harley (Justin) Houston, and Dakota Simpson (Jecamiah Anderson-Simpson.) Among them are his great grandchildren: Harrison, Hayes, Rhys, and Riggins Houston, and Milo Anderson-Simpson. His memory lives with many nieces and nephews as well.
"In lieu of flowers, please make online gifts in memory of Jerry D. James Sr., to the Dementia Society of America www.DementiaSociety.org/donate."
This disease might hide the person underneath but there is still a person in there who needs your love and attention.