Dwight Forrest James

Dwight Forrest James, Age, 69, a resident of La Plata, New Mexico. He was born on April 9, 1956, to Carl Ned James, Sr. and Mega Mangum. Dwight passed away on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025, in the Zuni Mountains.
Dwight was the seventh of eight children. He grew up in "the glade" and as a youth enjoyed running track, playing softball and mostly just being outside on the go. He also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. He loved and often talked of deer hunting while he was young with his dad, brothers, uncles, and grandpa near Ramah, NM. He graduated from Farmington High School in 1975, served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Concepcion Chile where he became fluent in Spanish. He met, courted, and married the love of his life, Marcia Dee Hamblin in 1978. They lived and worked in Farmington, spent a brief period in Blanding Utah working in the uranium mines, before moving back to Farmington again before they finally landed in La Plata where they've been ever since. They had six children, Eric, Reid, Shawn, Travis, Tyson, and Amber. He worked with his in-laws on the Hamblin farm for many years and ultimately for the Upper La Plata Water User's Association for 36 years where he was awarded the small, medium, and large operator of the year. After he retired, he served in both the Albuquerque and Farmington NM temples. He served faithfully in the church whenever and however he was asked, he served as a youth leader, teacher, and in leadership callings his entire life. He loved being a grandpa and would light up whenever they were around.
Dwight was preceded in death by Carl Ned James Sr (father), Mega Mangum (mother), Betty Jean Haynie (sister), Emer James (paternal grandpa), Adah Curillie Bond (paternal grandma), Squire Newton Mangum (maternal grandpa), Sarah Ann Dutton (maternal grandma), and Brett Dwight James(grandson).
He is survived by Marcia Dee Hamblin James (wife), Eric Dwight & Janis Collette and their kids Malia Collette & Tommy (great grandson), Carley McKay & Dime Adams, Joseph Wyatt, Markel Ryan, Zaiden Elbert, Ty Thomas, and Abigail Cherry. Reid Elbert & Bonnie Ruth and their kids Brooklin Ruth, Owen Reid, Camille Lela, and Everett Dwight. Shawn Brian & Whitney Garner and their kids Selena Pearl, Keith Brian, and Eli Elbert. Travis Wayne & Kayla Denae and their kids Nathaneil Wayne and Sofia Evelette. Tyson Joseph & Arminda Spikes and their kids Lucas, Trace, and Colter. Amber Marie Wagoner & Chandler and their kids Remington, Levi, and Emma. His siblings Carl Ned James (brother), Kent James (brother), Louise Garrison (sister), Bobby James (brother), Carol Crezee (sister), and Charlotte Bridges (sister).
Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 400 West Apache Street, Farmington, New Mexico. Wednesday, December 10, 2025 Visitation: 9:00 am 400 West Apache Street, Farmington, New Mexico (relief society room) Funeral: 10:00 am 400 West Apache Street, Farmington, New Mexico (chapel) Graveside: 11:30 am La Plata Cemetery Pallbearers: Eric, Reid, Shawn, Travis, Tyson, Amber (children).
Funeral Home in charge of arrangements: Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home 103 E. Ute Street Farmington, NM 87401 (505) 325-8688 Email: brewerleelarkin@yahoo.com