Lester W James

Lester Watson James was born January 8, 1943 at Harlem Hospital, NY to
Marian James and Floyd Watson. He spent his younger years in Harlem
New York, until the age of 7.

Lester would like to let you know that his work on earth is done. He
received a call, sort of an offer he could not refuse, an appointment
from which he will not be returning. This assignment comes with a huge
sign-on bonus, a reunion with family and friends he hasn't  seen in a
long time especially his mother.
The only child for his mother, but the baby of his five siblings on
his father side. In 1950 at the tender age of 7 years old, he was
placed in foster care where he was raised by the Wilson family on
Green Ave in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn New York where he attended
Eli Whitney Vocational High School.

In spite of not having his mother to love and nurture him, he
struggled but never gave up on life, he was determined to becoming a
self-made and family man. In 1965, Lester met Barbara Jones and
started a family. They had four children, Derrick, Leslie, Noreen and
Brent. He worked as a short order cook at the Worlds Fair,  Horn and
Hardart before going on to work at Domino Sugar Company and eventually
transitioned to work at a Broadway condo where he worked for 28 years
until his retirement. Even after retirement he continued  to work at
Dollar and Budget rent a car as a shuttle driver. Lester was a devoted
hard working man that maintained three jobs for 16 plus years, yet
never complained.

In 2001, Lester met his wife Stephania James and started their family.
They had two children Aaliyah and Tyler, even though Aaliyah was not
his biological child, he raised her as his own. The union flourished
which was built on teamwork, mutual respect, a healthy dose of
admiration, and a never-ending potions of love and grace.

It’s never too late to experience life changing moments – this
includes reuniting with his long-lost siblings. Lester experienced
this first hand when a family research was done by wife Stephania and
friend Ben Fritz in 2007. Lester reunited with brothers Bernard and
Floyd Watson, sisters Barbara Washington, Geneva Simon and older
sister Bernice Watson who had precede him in death. A moving reunion
after 57 years was life changing for him, so much so, he never let go
of the siblings bond which he cherished every moment.

Lester was an amazing father, husband and friend to all those that
crossed his path. Lester was selfless and devoted family man. Even
during his final days on earth, he never focused on his discomfort,
rather, he was at work ensuring his family was at peace and united. He
was always willing to lend a helping hand, even if he too needed help.

On April 16, 2020 at 1:25 am, Lester departed his life at Methodist
Hospital. He leaves behind to cherish his legacy and memory: wife
Stephania James;  longtime partner, Barbara James, ,daughters; Leslie,
Noreen and Aaliyah, sons; Derrick, Brent, Justice and Tyler,
granddaughters; Nicole, Kawana and Kristy great-grands; Chase
Sanderson, Camron, Jayleen, Kimora and Kalani, Mother-in-law; Saulda
Neal, Brother; Floyd, sisters; Barbara and Geneva. Also left to morn
his loss are his host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

"I was given the gift of life, and now I have to give it back. This is
hard, but I was a lucky man, who led a lucky existence, and for this I
am grateful. I first decided to be joyful about having had a full
life, rather than sad about having to die. Amazingly, this outlook
worked for me. At any rate, I am at peace."

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