Charles Leon James, 84, of Austin died Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, at St. Marys Hospital.
He was born Aug. 29, 1924, in Oakland, to Leon and Laura (Bendickson) James. He was baptized and confirmed at the Oakland Lutheran Church. Charles married Francine Jochumsen on Nov. 21, 1944. After serving in the Army for two years during World War II, he worked at the George A. Hormel Co. until his retirement in 1983. He loved to fish and golf during his retirement. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Laura; brother, Harold; and sister, Everialde.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church with the Rev. Glenn Monson officiating. Interment will be in the Oakland Lutheran Cemetery (Midway) in Oakland. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. and one hour before the service at the church.
Charles is survived by his wife, Francine James of Austin; sons: Ronald L. James of Hawaii, Steve C. James (Barbara) of Austin; daughter, Paulette H. Schwartz (David) of Audubon; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.