James Alfred Cundiff

James Alfred Cundiff, Jr. died on November 13, 2025, at the age of 79 in Korat, Thailand. James was born in Ogden, Utah on March 6, 1946, the first child of James Alfred Cundiff Sr. (Al) and Phyllis Taylor Cundiff. In the years that followed, he was joined by his sisters Jeril Lynne, Pamela Sue and brother Roger Lewis. James grew up in a home that valued hard work and family.

During his childhood years, Al Cundiff moved his family from Utah to Arizona, and then to Southern California. From an early age James showed a remarkable curiosity about the world. As a youth, James was very involved in sports. He loved baseball and was an active participant in Little League. He also played on the varsity basketball team at Chaffey High School.

As a young man, James served a mission in Japan for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This mission was an experience that influenced much of his later life and deepened his appreciation for Asian culture. He continued his church service through various assignments including bishop and temple worker.

James attended Brigham Young University where he met and married Rosemary Heaton (m. 1970-1999). Together they had five children: Jenifer, Lloyd, Jefferson, Stefeni, and Steven. James graduated with a degree in Economics and moved his young family to Ontario, California to be closer to his parents. After ten years working as a dispatcher at the fire department, James and his family moved to Arizona to pursue his dream: more education, and an opportunity to better provide for his family. James graduated from the American Graduate School of International Management, and from there was recruited by the E.I. DuPont Company as an internal auditor. Over the next two decades, the DuPont Company moved the James Cundiff family several times. They lived in Wilmington, Delaware; Waynesboro, Virginia; and Ponca City, Oklahoma.

His work eventually took him to Singapore and Shanghai China. These overseas assignments broadened his view of the world and added to his lifelong interest in international affairs. After retirement from the DuPont company, he lived in Thailand. In later years, he devoted himself to family history, seeking out not just names but the stories and connections that tied generations together. He also enjoyed long daily walks, using that time to think, observe, and reflect.

James will be remembered for his sharp mind, steady opinions and distinct sense of humor. He loved to read and could often be found in the library or bookstore. He could always be counted on to know the latest news in sports and politics. He had an ear for music and was a gifted accordion player.

James is survived by his children: daughter, Jenifer (Masayuki); son, Lloyd James (Melissa); son, Jefferson Allen; daughter, Stefeni (Jacob) Butterworth; and son, Steven James (Alison). He is also survived by Rosemary, the mother of his children, his sisters, Jeril Lynne (DeVerne) Johnson and Pamela Sue (Edward) Voll. He leaves behind eleven grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. James is preceded in death by his parents, Al and Phyllis, and by his brother, Roger.

Funeral services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2115 Sublette Place, Sandy, Utah, on November 29, 2025, at 11:00 am. He will be interred at Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy, Utah.