Dr. Charles James

Athens - Dr. Charles William James, age 79, died, after a long battle with cancer, on April 26, 2009.
He was preceded in death by his oldest son, Charles "Chip" William James Jr.; his sister, Virginia Kathryn Cobb; and brother, George Craig James. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ina; son, Robert Thomas James (Anne) of Norwood, Ga.; daughter, Susan James Corsini (Marc) of Birmingham, Ala.; five grandsons and one granddaughter; sister, Mary Annette Mayhugh of Mountain Rest, S.C.; and brother, Herbert Thomas James of Vero Beach, Fla.
He was a resident of Athens, Ga., since 1957 and a member of Tuckston United Methodist Church. He was on the faculty of the University of Georgia where he served for over 37 years. His earlier contributions to the University of Georgia were primarily in teaching general botany and research on the native plants of the southeastern states. His primary attention was soon directed toward administrative assignments in which he served as Assistant and Associate Dean under seven deans of the UGA Franklin College of Arts & Sciences. At the time of his retirement in 1994, he was Professor of Botany and Senior Associate Dean of the Franklin College. He was also an emeritus member of the Board of the University of Georgia Athletic Association to which he was appointed from 1978-1988.
He was born in Dade City, Fla., where he attended public schools. Dr. James received his B.S. and M.S. degrees at the University of Florida and his Ph.D. from Duke University. He was an Instructor of Botany at the University of Tennessee and worked as a Research Associate at the Gray Herbarium of Harvard University before coming to Athens.
Memorial services will be held at Tuckston United Methodist Church, 4175 Lexington Road, Athens, GA 30605 on Thursday, April 30, 2009, at 1 p.m., with family receiving friends in the fellowship hall after the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Building Fund of Tuckston United Methodist Church, Hope Lodge in Nashville at 2008 Charlotte Ave., Nashville, TN 37203, or St. Mary's Hospice House in Athens at P.O. Box 6588, Athens, GA 30604.
Lord and Stephens, EAST, is in charge of arrangements.