James was born in Escondido, CA. He lived in Ramona, just east of San Diego, and continued to stay in the San Diego area his whole life. In his younger years, he was known for being an amazing athlete, most notably baseball. He even had a college scholarship to play baseball. But unfortunately, fate had other plans. The school soon closed leaving him needing another school and now without a scholarship. Needless to say, he didn’t end up finishing college or getting recruited for the big leagues, even after multiple private try-outs.

He then went on to briefly become a Police officer and he joined the Army at age 35, because he had such a strong desire to help people. He was almost through all his training when he had to leave the army for medical reasons.

He dedicated himself 100% when he found a hobby he enjoyed. First, It was flying model airplanes with Pops and his brother, Rob. Next, it was Kara-ho Kempo Karate, where he advanced to the rank of 3rd degree black belt. Then his next love was motorcycles. He led the San Diego Sports Bike group for a few years and even started racing. But it seemed he found something that fit him just right, when he found the Gambler 500 in 2017.

James leaves behind his brother Robert Gibson and his wife Elissa along with their two children Kayla and Taylor. He also has two half-sisters Barbara Iames (Mark Iams) and Terri Pipes of Washington along with his nieces Bryn (Pipes) Gourley and Sarah (Yancey) Morgen and his nephew James Yancey.

James also leaves behind Tiffany Long, his significant other for the past 11 years and her daughter Caitlyn.