James Embry Obituary

James Embry Jr,
05/13/1968 - 09/13/2025
James L. Embry, Jr., born in Kansas City, Missouri on May 13, 1968, passed away peacefully after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer on September 13, 2025.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Yuko Embry, mother Jane Pfeifer, step-father Phil Pfeifer, step-mother Sarah Embry, brother Jeff Embry, sisters Karen Pfeifer and Deborah Ganske, numerous loving nieces and nephews as well as many other family members and friends.

Jim led a life that took him around the world. After high school Jim took his love for music to the Guitar Institute of Technology in Los Angeles where he graduated after training with some of the best guitarists in the world. He later attended Belmont University where he furthered his guitar studies and worked as a studio musician. After Belmont, Jim decided to serve his country and joined the United States Navy, where he served on the nuclear attack submarine the Miami, and was a member of the U.S Navy band the Orient Express and the Seventh Fleet Jazz Ensemble. He was perhaps the only Navy musician who also earned his submariner dolphins.

Jim's service took him to Japan, where he fell in love with Japanese culture and his wife of 31 years, Yuko.

After completing his Navy service Jim returned to Houston where he graduated from the University of Houston and South Texas College of Law. He would go on to serve as a Human Resources director with various companies in both Japan and Houston and was enjoying work at Aegis Chemical Solutions in Houston at the time of his death.

Throughout his life, Jim loved playing the guitar and was an accomplished and beloved member of the Houston music scene. He taught and inspired many guitar students at Evans Music City and played lead guitar with the Leslie Doak Band, the Tony Vega Band, and many others. Jim loved his bandmates and loved to play his weekend music gigs. He was also an avid fisherman and a lifelong Houston Astros fan.

The hallmark of Jim's long battle with cancer was an ever-present optimism and courage that inspired all who knew him. Until the end Jim was kind to all.

The impact of Jim's kindness and love on his family and friends will live on forever.

A celebration of life for Jim will be held at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Fwy., Houston, Texas on September 24th at 4:00 p.m. If desired, memorial gifts may be made to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.