Robert Lee James

Robert Lee James, a hero to many and a delight to all, passed away peacefully at his home in San Antonio on December 5, 2025, surrounded by his pride and joy -- his family.

Known for a sunny disposition that beamed, Bob cast rays of comfort on all close. With a signature side smile that hardly ever went away, he'd often leave people wondering if he ever had a bad day? The answer, he'd say, is he's too blessed to ever be that upset, pointing to the legacy he came from and the one he's leaving behind.

Born on September 19, 1937, in Birmingham, Alabama, Bob grew up as the eldest of two children (sister Nancy) to Nancy Katherine and Lee Wooding James. He spent his formative years seeking fun in hunting, fishing, running track, and rooting on the Alabama Crimson Tide; while seeking a living in learning accounting from his father.

He met the love of his life, Judy Hudson, at West End High School, but duty soon called with Bob joining the Alabama National Guard Dixie Division where he proudly served eight years. While part of the National Guard, Bob also enrolled at Samford University and ran track, showing off his well-rounded and all-American qualities. As he was finishing up his degree at Samford, Bob asked Judy to marry him one Sunday morning in church, sliding a ring on her finger right there in the pew.

The two quickly built a family, having three baby girls – Tammy, Adie and Chrissy – who became his life from that moment forward. To provide, Bob worked books with his dad, and the father and son duo were instrumental in setting up a school at their local church, Berney Points Baptist, where all three of his daughters attended.

In his free time of fatherhood, Bob took to the outdoors, fishing and hunting, rabbit hunting in particular, running beagles to sniff out the hare, and at one time housing 20-plus beagles, much to Judy's delight. He brought his family on calls for the wild, making vacations out of cross-country treks in their camper, with windshield time filled with tunes and CB Radio conversations from Bob's tag: "Alabama Pig Iron" and his girls': "The Littlest Angels."

Soon, the family made a permanent trek to Texas, pursuing a new job opportunity and settling down in San Antonio, purchasing what became their forever home in 1980. While Birmingham was always home in Bob's heart, San Antonio is where he planted roots, strong ones, with all three of his daughters and four grandkids still calling the city home.

That's not to say Bob sat sit still in San Antonio, however, as he went on to call several places nearby – like a ranch in Boerne, where he raised cattle, shot skeet and hosted many a party; a Deer Lease in Big Wells, where he hunted and taught his two grandsons to hunt; and a coast house in Port Aransas as well as one in Rockport, where he simply relaxed with his family – as home away from homes.

Yet after many good years in Texas, which were highlighted by watching his four grandkids grow into young adults; Bob was confronted with more challenging ones following a massive stroke in 2015 -- one doctors said was "a miracle" he survived.

Despite the setbacks and endless hurdles from the stroke, Bob fought on, and continued to see his grandkids grow, graduate college, and build families of their own, giving way to four great grandchildren.

And while his mobility declined and faculties fogged at times in those later years, his demeanor never wavered – still lighting up rooms and putting smiles on faces.

Known as the 'unofficial Mayor' of whatever establishment he stepped into, Bob brought conversation, compassion and a craving to understand how he could help – to whomever and, however. He wasn't always able to help a stranger with their solve, but he never failed to brighten their day.

He was someone you look forward to and look up to.

With his sharp dressed skills and always on-point manners, he paved a way on how to present oneself. With his can-do attitude and incessant work ethic, he modeled how to make the most of oneself. With his late-night dancing, storytelling, and thrill seeking, he exampled how to enjoy oneself. With his respect, commitment and eternal love for his wife and family, he laid out how to lead one's life. And with his perspective on what's important in this world, he crystallized how to view life itself, often saying…

"I may not be rich in money, but I sure am rich in family."

And indeed, he was.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Lee Wooding and Nancy Katherine James. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Judy James; his daughters, Tammy Cunningham and husband Steve, Adriene Driggers and husband John, Chrissy Sells and husband Chris; grandchildren, Jordan Driggers and wife Lesley, Katie Salas and husband Derek, McKenzie and Addison Sells; great-grandchildren, Lennon and Rye Driggers, Cash and Jett Salas; his sister Nancy Sayers and husband Jerry; and his Alabama family.

Graveside Service

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

2:00pm

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209

Shelter One