Ted James, 85, Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Teacher, Coach, Hunter, Fisherman, Pilot, Designer-Builder, Beekeeper, Barbershop Singer, he mastered them all.  Ted took his final flight on “Angel Air,”  leaving us the morning of November 10 and is now harmonizing in Heaven.

Ted was born to Wylie & Drothy James on March 18, 1924 in Coleman, Texas.  The family moved to Bisbee, AZ, where he graduated from Bisbee High School.

 

After high school, he entered the Air Force and spent 4 years as an aircraft mechanic.  After military service, he returned to Arizona, working for the telephone company while attending college at University of Arizona where he obtained  his Bachelor’s Degree in Education, following with a Master’s Degree from Northern Arizona University.  During this time, he met the love of his life at the University of Arizona, Bertha Rae Moore, a Douglas, AZ native, and they married in 1952 in Douglas.

 

Ted began his teaching and coaching career in Elfrida, AZ.  After one year in Elfrida, he taught at Douglas Junior High for a year, after which he began his long service as a teacher and coach at Douglas High School.  He began by coaching  football and track, and then focused his passions as the Douglas High Head Track and Cross Country coach for 32 years before his retirement from teaching and coaching in 1983.  Ted was honored with the renaming of the Douglas Track Invitational to the Ted  James Track Invitational in 2004, induction into the Arizona Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1985, along with many other awards, including a Service of Achievement award from Arizona Athletic Association.  Ted followed his love for aviation by piloting  his small planes to take family, athletes and friends on many trips.  He also created the first accredited aviation ground school course taught in high schools nationwide.  After his retirement,

 

Ted and Bertha moved to Phoenix for her to continue employment with Phelps Dodge Corporation.  They also shared many travel adventures to Mexico, Europe, the Caribbean, Canada, Hawaii, Alaska, and throughout the U.S.  

 

Ted shared many hours with his family and his “boys” camping, hunting and fishing, teaching all of us an appreciation for nature, the outdoors, and wildlife.

 

Ted’s resounding Baritone singing voice was shared with his Barbershop Quartet friends in Douglas.  He ultimately fulfilled a life-long dream after moving from Douglas to Phoenix where he joined the Phabulous Phoenicians Barbershop Chorus.   Together with Bertha, he travelled throughout the country with the chorus singing in shows and competitions.  Ted was honored numerous times throughout his many years with the Chorus for his unending energy and service.

 

In 1997, Ted and Bertha moved from Phoenix to Tucson, where they currently reside.  Ted is survived by his wife, Bertha Rae; his children: Diane Piganelli (Tim), Ken James (Peggy), Barry James (Ofelia), Sharon Holcombe, and Christie Neal  (Jim); grandchildren: Rachel, Sara, Courtney, Mallorey, Stephanie, Jayson, Ryan, Casie, Jordan & Jarrett, and great-granddaughter, Caileigh.  He is also survived by his sister, Frances Andreas and brother, Leslie James, nieces and nephews and their families.

 

Funeral service will be held Friday, November 13, at 4 p.m. at El Camino Baptist Church, 7777 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, AZ.  Graveside service and burial will take place in Douglas, AZ, on Saturday, November 14, at 1 p.m. at Calvary Memorial  Park Cemetery at 1300 3rd St.  Arrangements are being made through East Lawn Palm Funeral Home in Tucson.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in his name to Safari Club International Foundation.

 

The family would like to express their gratitude to Ted & Bertha’s close friends and neighbors, Don & Lore Becker, for their unfailing friendship and help through Ted’s illness, and to the staff of Evercare Hospice.