Eric Eugene James, 48, lived every moment of his life to the fullest as a son, brother, uncle, nephew, educator, mentor, father and friend.

Eric's outgoing personality and talents paired well with his sense of humor, knowledge, and wit.  He is and always will be remembered as being “Full of joy” with an “infectious smile” and possessing a level of magnetic charisma. He possessed poise and the discipline to lead anyone to a logical decision that sought his leadership, advice, and reassurance. From childhood to manhood, Eric was practical, principled, trustworthy and dependable. He was an empathic mentor to many people and students and would be considered an “endangered species” based on his rare character and his ability to translate that into his craft as an educator.

Always curious about all science branches, transportation modes, and life in general, Eric could easily and was viewed as a "jack-of-all trades" because he either taught himself or received academic education from others.  His liking for aircrafts led him to working as an aircraft assistant while in high school, followed by attending college for  aviation flight training and aviation business administration. He held jobs as a mail delivery courier, a transit authority bus driver, and an international foreign language instructor, with the latter motivating his relocation to Japan to teach American English as an ESL (English as Second Language) Instructor.  Eric did not know anything about Japan's language or culture, but with determination, he took classes and quickly associated  himself with people that helped him to become very fluent in Japanese-speaking, which led him to being known as "Jemuzu Sensei", an honorably ESL teacher for 19-years. (Jemuzu -James, Sensei - teacher). The Japanese use Sensei as a title of honor for people who teach something.  As always, Eric made sure to teach this and other Japanese cultures to his Momma so she could understand more about his life as a  foreigner living in Japan.

While living in Japan, he met and married Tomoka Hiramoto. From this marriage, they were blessed their daughter, Taia Harris James, born, December 29, 2005.  Being a father to his daughter not only became the primary purpose of his life, but it also exemplified the practical, principled, trustworthy and dependable person that was always known about him. Taia calls Eric either Poppa or Daddy; and according to Eric, she would only call him Daddy (smiles) when she really wanted something out the ordinary from him, when she knew it was discipline time for doing something that should not have been done, or for not doing something that should have been done. Overall, the father/daughter relationship built between Eric, the "Girl Dad", and his one and only child, Taia, will forever be unbroken.

Eric was born  December 3, 1974 to Estina James and William C Harris Jr (aka W.C.).  He is predeceased by his maternal and paternal grandparents, and his father, William C. Harris Jr.  Eric is survived by his 17-yr old daughter, Taia H. James who lives in Japan; his mother, Estina D. James-Prow; his brothers, Kelvin Eugene James (Annie) and Bryan Edward James (Natasha); his sister Regina Gail Richardson (Victor); and a host of Aunts; Uncles; Cousins; and friends.

A private celebration of life will be held in his honor as opposed to traditional funeral services.

Eric's mother is asking everyone who visits this memorial site for him to please click on the "Gift tab" at the top of this page and contribute monetary donations to help her cover costs for  Eric's predeceased and postmortem medical treatments; for legal filings of death with Japan and U.S. embassy government officials; for crematorium services; international shipment of his remains back home to the U.S.A.; for transport and storage from U.S.A. airport to a local funeral home; and to help assure that financial assistance, educational and daily living expenses, for his daughter, Taia, will continue on in her Poppa's (Eric) absent.

Thank you in advance very much for your support and condolences.

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