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Benjamin P. JAMES

1940 - 2022

BORN

1940

DIED

2022

Benjamin JAMES Obituary

Name: Memorial Gathering for Benjamin P. JAMES
Start: 2022-08-19T16:30:00.000Z
End: 2022-08-19T19:00:00.000Z
Location: n the courtyard

Benny was born in October of 1940 in Pender, NE and passed on August 6th in St. Paul, MN. Ben was preceded in death by his parents Marge and Glen James, first wife Celestine, and nephew Joshua James. He is survived by wife Faye, son Seth (Jill), grandchildren Paige and Calvin, sister Danielle (John Martin) and brother David, several nieces and nephews, and friends. Ben will be most remembered by his family as a good man, creative cook and canner. In his professional life, he began his career as a music teacher in St. Paul beginning at Mechanic Arts High School in 1969. He then went on to develop and lead the music program at the Performing Arts Center on Holly & Grotto which was eventually incorporated and expanded into the recording arts program at Central High School. He retired from SPPS in June of 2001 and spent his last 8 years as a teacher in the Fine Arts Department at Cretin-Durham Hall, after which he retired permanently. One of Ben's most cherished uses of his voice talent was as a volunteer reader at Minnesota State Services for the Blind from December of 1992 until March of 2020. He also shared his beautiful singing voice in the choirs at the Church of St. Mary and the Church of the Assumption in downtown St. Paul. A gathering to remember and honor Ben will be held in the courtyard next to 225 9th Street East in downtown St. Paul on Friday, August 19th. A private gathering for family and close friends will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Anyone who would like to come and share a memory of Ben may join us between 11:30 AM and 2 PM. Parking will be available in the First Baptist Church parking lot on the corner of Wacouta and 9th Street. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Communications Center at the Minnesota State Services for the Blind in remembrance of Ben James.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Pioneer Press from Aug. 13 to Aug. 14, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Benjamin JAMES

Sponsored by St Paul Pioneer Press.

13 Entries

Scott McNeal

July 31, 2025

Ben James,

Was a inspiration and good friend and teacher. May he rest in peace and placed into paradise. Ameen!

Scott McNeal

Jeff Perry

October 6, 2022

Saddened to hear this. I studied with Ben in at Central in the early 80s. He made going to school meaningful at a time I really needed that. He was an inspiration. RIP Ben James.

Jody M. Flynn

September 12, 2022

I first met Ben at the Twin Cities Institute for Talented Youth at Macalester College, I believe it was the summer of 1974. This was a summer program with a variety of classes offered. Ben's class was called Acting, Music and Junk Collection. I believe I attended this summer program for 2 or 3 summers. Ben did the music part and John Stout did the acting part. At that point, I knew that I had met one of the most amazing men in my life. Every day at lunch I would bring extra cookies to share with Ben. Even though they were packaged cookies, he acted as if they were the best cookies in the world! After that awesome experience, I figured out how to attend Performing Arts Learning Center on Holly and Grotto through my East St. Paul high school. I was able to spend my afternoons at the PA Center for the rest of my school years until I graduated in 1977. Ben helped me build my confidence as an young adult, and as a singer. He was always so very kind to all of us students. Ben would be your good friend and listen if that was what you needed, and he would be firm in order to get you back on track if that was what was needed at the time. He did both actions eloquently, with a gentle and precise manner that you just knew he really cared! Ben even had a group of us make a radio commercial for James Drug Mini Mall in Nebraska. We all felt so honored to be asked to assist him in this endeavor! To this day, I consider Ben James one of the most influential adults in my life. I never did make a living for very long with music, but to think of all the lessons I learned from being with such amazing, talented and kind people!
I will forever be grateful for the short and powerful time that Ben James was in my life. He was the Father figure that I never had. Rest easy Ben, you have given so much to so many, now you have some time to rest.
Please accept my sincere condolences for his wife, son, and all who were close to him.
Sincerely,
Jody M. Flynn, Northern MN.

RJ.

August 22, 2022

Ben, I remember all the way back to late 70s in the old building and of course when we moved to Central High school with all of the new equipment. WOW!! you did a hell of a job keeping us in line as we were so excited about the new digs. You always showed us respect and created some VERY talented Musicians under your direction.

Bless you Brother.

Say hi to Tee Presley.

Scott McNeal

August 20, 2022

Journey well Ben, I hope Allah ( ) will have mercy on you - Ben was a good teacher and mentor - Rest well.

Mella and Adrian

Planted Trees

Tony Ihrig

August 19, 2022

I'm very sorry for your family's loss. The recording arts program that Ben built at Saint Paul Central was pivotal in my journey to a career in music and is where I met many lifelong music friends. The space he created for budding musicians and sound engineers was extremely important to so many of us, I will always be grateful for the work he did to create it (and to keep the decibel levels in check) :)

Joyce Shelton

August 13, 2022

Many past students will remember Ben
James for how he encouraged them.
My son speaks of Ben´s concern for students.
"A kind and unique person.
Joyce Shelton , parent

Fred Wysoki

August 10, 2022

Fred Wysoki

August 10, 2022

Fred Wysoki

August 10, 2022

I would like to extend my condolences to Faye, Seth and Ben's entire family. Ben has been a dear and loyal friend for over 30 years and his impact in my life has been enormous. We worked together on projects numerous times and he was responsible for getting me my teaching job at Cretin-Derham hall where we shared the same Fine Arts room. He had a great sense of humor and always had a good story to share on just about any subject. His love of canning was a great match for my love of growing and we canned goods together for many years. He had a great laugh and a truly expressive face that told you what he thought of what you just said. He had a creative mind and I loved him immensely and will miss his presence every day of my life.

Susan Armstrong

August 10, 2022

Ben was a beloved teacher of mine in the 70s and I was so lucky to become a colleague years later. Such an amazing guy.

Tommy Wiggins Wiesner

August 7, 2022

Forever Friends are Leaving - My mentor and friend Ben James´s gentle spirit left his body this morning. I would not have experienced the creative career and countless blessings that I have been given had Ben not taken me under his wing 40 years ago. Provocateur, raconteur and volunteer, he used education to create community and collaboration. Prolific composer, poet, teacher and guide, Ben taught generations of young people how to use technology to make their own music. I sang at his wedding dance, and I´m singing here to celebrate his life. We all grieve differently. My way is to work out mine with a song. Ben was one in a million. Georgia, Matt, Sarah and I send our love to Faye, Seth and family. Here´s to you, Big Dipper.

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results