Leonard E. James

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Leonard E James
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Leonard Elvin James, beloved husband, father, grandfather, craftsman, firefighter, and pillar of his community, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of love, service, and quiet strength.Born and raised in Queens, New York, Leonard was known from a young age for his intelligence, discipline, and unwavering sense of responsibility. He attended Jamaica High School, where he quickly gained a reputation for his academic excellence—especially in math, and quickly became known as someone who could solve complex problems with ease—sometimes even upside down or backwards.Leonard’s talents extended far beyond the classroom. A little known fact was that he played trombone and piano, and was part of a band in his younger years. Though not a singer, he often brought his instrument to church gatherings and social events, adding music and joy wherever he went. He especially loved the sounds of Miriam Makeba of South Africa, whose voice stirred something deep in his soul.A man of many talents, Leonard also loved boating, building, and working with wood. If something needed fixing or creating, Leonard would handle it with care and skill. He built things with his hands the way he built his life—with precision, patience, and purpose. Family and friends knew that if Leonard was around, everything would be taken care of. He was the one who held things together, always reliable, always supportive.Leonard proudly served in the New York Fire Department, rising through the ranks to become Chief, never failing a single exam throughout his distinguished career. As a member of the Vulcan Society, a historic organization of Black firefighters, Leonard mentored youth, supported families, and helped champion equity and advancement within the department.He met his life partner, Katherine James, when they were teenagers. Their love and friendship endured across decades—marked not only by joy, but by challenges and resilience, deep commitment, and unwavering devotion. Together they raised their family and built a life rooted in love, discipline, and service.He is survived by:
• His wife and life partner, Katherine James
• His children: Sheila (Lenette), Marvin, Cathy and Tobi
• His sister, Sonia James-Payne
• His grandchildren and great-grandchildren
• Extended family, neighbors, friends, and colleagues who knew and loved him
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He is preceded in death by:
• His father, Dalman James
• His mother, Paralee Nesbitt-James
• His brothers, Merrill James and Dalmon James, Jr.
• His grandson, Jerome Stallworth
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LegacyLeonard Elvin James will be remembered as a man of depth and grace—a builder of harmony, a leader by example, a master of his craft, and a rock for his family. His legacy lives on in every note of music played, every structure built, and every life he quietly strengthened with his presence.

Okay, so I have to tell you about Leonard James, who we always called "the ninja" and my "superhero". You know, you'd never imagine it because he was so quiet-spoken, loved nature, loved the outdoors, and was just such a peaceful, loving person. So mild-mannered, so laid-back, with a very, very calm demeanor. I mean, I'd never heard him raise his voice ever, or be unpleasant or rude in any form or manner.But then there was the other side, the ninja side. You see, we owned a multiple dwelling, three apartments. My mom lived on the first floor, and we rented out the second and third. Well, this tenant on the third floor, he decided he didn't want to pay rent anymore. He was trying to find all these devious ways to avoid paying rent. We went to court a couple of times, but none of that worked. Then, he even pretended there was some kind of problem in the apartment and that he was injured. It was causing so much stress because my father was deceased at this point, and my mom, Robin, and Linda were still young at home.So, one day, someone mysteriously – we'll just say the ninja – came in, obviously to speak with this gentleman, to tell him that he needed to behave. What we found out later, after the ninja had his encounter with him, was that the tenant was beaten so severely that he had to be hospitalized. And that wasn't all. All of his clothes – and his clothing was his pride and joy – all of his clothes were cut, pants cut, jackets cut, everything just cut. We didn't know immediately who did it; it was about a month or so later that we found out it was the ninja.To our surprise, the tenant decided to move. All those legal proceedings we'd gone through, none of that worked. But the ninja, who is so protective and loving of family, on his own, decided to take matters into his own hands, and it worked.I think Leonard (the ninja) took that action really because of his love and desire to protect family. It just showed how much respect and love, and the feeling of needing to protect the family, he had. He was always that way. He just disapproved of the terrible way the tenant was trying to take advantage of a situation where there wasn't a man in the house. And trying to be so dishonest, finding ways he could be injured so he could possibly sue us. This tenant was very, very dishonest and really a very wicked person. So, the ninja took care of that.Leonard was such a strong person, was very law-abiding, very honest, a sincere person who was not going to tolerate an injustice, a terrible injustice, against his mother-in-law and the kids. He just did what he felt he needed to do, and that was it. No bragging, boasting, nothing. We never even talked about it or joked about it later with him. When it came up, he would just smile and not really say anything, just a smile. It's like a Spider-Man or Superman, a superhero.Leonard was someone who would diffuse a situation rather than ignite one. He's not the type of person to cause problems. He was very calm.He was Leonard. He wasn't anybody else. He wasn't trying to be anybody else. He was just who he was. He had this zest for life, and he lived his life the way he wanted, on his terms. That should be a lesson to all of us. It's people like Leonard who make the world better, because of their kindness, because of the care he showed. He was at peace with himself and at peace with everybody else, too. - Lily Andrews

Leonard's passing "hurt me as much as it hurt me losing my brother Earl 10 years ago". Leonard "was just a wonderful, wonderful guy". I have "nothing to say other than I love my brother-in-law and he was a remarkable wonderful guy". "I just only have praise for my brother-in-law and miss him, love him". "I don't have to make up anything about a gracious, wonderful, brilliant man". "That's how I feel about him". For me, "Leonard was just a great great person, a great man and a great firefighter, a wonderful brother-in-law and he I loved him and sing his praises and hope that he's now with God in heaven".Leonard taught me how to drive. I remember one hot day when "I went upstate. He bought this property upstate. We had to dig out a yard to the main road to create a path for the car". It was just "me and him". "I was one of the first people to go there and help dig a road, clear a path so he could get his car up there". "We had a wonderful day".He was also "so helpful and wonderful with my mom" after my dad died in 1960. "Leonard always came by to look after my mom if she needed anything" when I was 13 or 14, and my younger siblings, Robert and Linda, were even younger. My "mother just adored" him.In his career, "I used to visit him when he was on the boat" when he first started his fire career. "He studied and he made captain, lieutenant, everything when they weren't promoting black people". "Leonard was passing those exams and doing so well". Later, "he was with the tactical squad," where they "rode all around New York City putting out dangerous fires wherever they were called".The last time I saw Leonard was "at Earl's funeral". We had a chance to connect, and "we had a wonderful time together, if you can have a wonderful time at a funeral". He "was very comforting and terrific and pleasant".I "only have wonderful, wonderful memories of the James family"—Sonia, Leonard, "even Jimmy the photographer," who "was a nice man, sweetheart," and Mrs. James. "I shall always remember" them.- Peter Andrews

Where do I start Uncle Leonard has been a huge part of my life since day one, much what I know have learned and found interest in is because of Uncle Leonard caring help and support .
- Eugene V. Payne