Robert Franklin James passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2017 was born on August 2, 1928 in Charlotte, NC, together with his twin brother, Ralph Alexander James, to Flonnie Holmes James and William Alexander James. Robert grew up at 912 East Trade Street and attended Elizabeth Elementary School, Piedmont Junior High School and Harding High School and Charlotte College (now UNCC Charlotte). He and Ralph lived in the Central High School area but were recruited by Coach Pasco Gettle to come to Harding to play football. Robert was an accomplished athlete who played baseball and football at Harding where he pitched the city championship in 1947 and was selected for the Shrine Bowl team with his brother Ralph. He and Ralph lived in the Central High School area but were recruited by Coach Pasco Gettle to come to Harding to play football. Upon graduation from Harding, he was offered a scholarship to attend the University of Georgia, but decided instead to join the Navy during the Korean Conflict. He served four years aboard the USS Norton Sound stationed in the Pacific. Upon the death of his father, W.A James in the early 1960s he and Ralph assumed the ownership and management of the Diamond Restaurant located in the Plaza-Midwood area of Charlotte, and continued in that capacity for 25 years. Upon the sale of the Diamond, Robert became affiliated with Ivey's Department Store (now Dillard's at Southpark) where he worked until his retirement in 2006. Robert was a devout Christian all his adult life and taught Sunday School for many years. He was an ordained Baptist deacon and served in that capacity at Green Memorial Baptist Church. He was a charter member of Eastern Hills Baptist Church which was formed from the membership of Green Memorial. At the time of his death he was a member of Sharon Baptist Church. For a number of years, Robert served on the Board of Directors of Rebound (now Charlotte Rescue Mission). He also served on the Board of Trustees of Camden Military Academy, Camden, South Carolina and was honored to be initiated as a Brother of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity Omicron Theta Chapter at Newberry College, Newberry, South Carolina. Robert was predeceased by his parents and his twin brother, Ralph. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary Wilkes James, his daughter, Suzanne James Haslam and husband, John and their children: Meghan Tcherkezian and husband, Mark and Mary Madison Haslam of Charlotte, NC. He is also survived by his son, Robert Franklin James, Jr and wife, Verice of Charlotte and their children: Shaw James and wife, Ashton of Irmo, S. C. and Sarah Peyton James of Charleston , SC. Survivors also include his loving sister, Victoria Spangler and husband, Eddie of Roanoke, Virginia, and their children: Sherry Helms of Charlotte, NC and Clifford Spangler of Roanoke, Virginia. Special nieces who are the daughters of his deceased twin brother Ralph are: Debbie James Wood of Ashville, N.C., Janine James of New York City, NY and Elizabeth James of Atlanta, Georgia. A service to celebrate Robert's well lived life will be held on Friday, December 29, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Sharon Baptist Church, 6411 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC with The Reverend Dr. Robbie Page, Pastor of Sharon Baptist Church and The Reverend Michael Cummings of First Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC officiating. Robert's family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Sharon Baptist Church, 6411 Sharon Road, Charlotte, N. C. 28210. Notes of encouragement and condolences may be made to the family by visiting ellingtonfuneralservices.com.