James Larke

James Larke was born into the loving home of Laura and Jimmie Larke, Sr. on December 8, 1949 in Aiken, SC. Within a few years the family relocated to Buffalo, NY where James attended grammar school and graduated from East High School.
In 1970 he married the former Brenda Washington and soon thereafter was drafted into the U.S. Army where he proudly served as a communications specialist, based in Germany. James and Brenda welcomed a bouncing baby girl, Angela (Cookie) Nicole in 1973. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, James secured employment with Westinghouse in Buffalo, NY.
In search of better employment, he relocated to Rochester in the mid-1970s. There he found substantial employment with the E.I. DuPont Company as a machinist in the finishing department and remained employed there until he retired after approximately 15 years. Afterwards, he worked for several years as a driver for Southside Apothecary.
Soon after moving to Rochester, he visited Powerhouse COGIC, under the leadership of the late Superintendent Henry M. Newkirk. He accepted Christ and welcomed the Holy Spirit into his life and began to work in various capacities in the church. At Powerhouse he served faithfully in the capacities of junior usher board president, van driver, and trustee board member. He could also often be found serving up hot breakfast between Sunday School and morning worship service. Also, while attending Powerhouse, he befriended Patricia (Patty), whom he later married.
During a period of transition at Powerhouse in 1995, Elder C.B. McCloud was led of the Lord to establish Mt. Carmel Deliverance Center COGIC. James and Patty Larke considered it an honor to host the organizational meeting for the church in their living room and continued to serve as supportive members of Mt. Carmel Deliverance Center COGIC for several more years. James later helped Elder Charles G. Simmons to establish Liberty Temple Ministries COGIC.
In 1998 James moved his membership to Progressive COGIC, under the leadership of Dr. James R. Wright, Sr., Ph.D. There he served as vice president of the usher board. He also served as jurisdictional instructor for the New York Western First jurisdictional usher board for many years. Although he had many talents, his first love and most dominant calling was ushering. He would often say to family and friends, "some are called to preach and teach, but I am called to be an usher." He served faithfully and without complaint as an usher in COGIC for over 40 years.
James will be long remembered as one of the best cooks on the planet! He would say, "cooking is therapeutic for me," and cook he did! He will also be remembered as a kind and compassionate person; who was a confidant to many and often helped friends and family financially. His physical strength was enormous and most evident by the fact that he survived 25 years as a dialysis patient; one who never complained.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jimmie Larke Sr. and Laura Larke; one brother, Julius Larke; three sisters: Mary (Versal) Harris, Linda "Noonie" Ray and Martha "Nanny" Larke; uncle Wardell Pilgrom Sr., one brother in-love Thomas Walker and his former wife Brenda A. Larke.
He leaves to cherish the memory of his well-lived life, a devoted daughter, Angela Nicole (Duane) Cuyler of Upper Marlboro, MD; his grandson, Caleb Cotton of Phoenix, AZ; his granddaughters, Shacara and Tiara Cuyler of Waukegan, IL; his great-grandchildren, Tajmir and Taraji Pitts; four sisters: Marcella Bordeaux-Walker of Phoenix, AZ, Annie (Tom) Peterson of Montgomery, AL, Ida "Judy" (Larry) Ingram of Atlanta, GA, and Glenda "Bonnie" (Ron) Carnes of Rochester, NY; three brothers: Jimmie (Margaret) Larke of Buffalo, NY, Sylvester (Tonya) Larke of Phoenix, AZ, David Hines, Buffalo, NY. He is also survived by his aunt Lillian Pilgrom of Buffalo, NY, brother-in-love Nathaniel Ray, Sr., his former wife, and close friend, Patricia (Patty) Larke, and his brother from another mother Jimmie Thomas. A host of cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, special lifelong friends, godchildren, a long list of spiritual sons, his New Progressive Cathedral COGIC family and his beloved Usher Board of COGIC New York Western First Jurisdiction.