James graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School in 1963, playing saxophone in the marching band. He attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. As a member of the Cornhusker Marching Band, he was able to play in the Orange Bowl parade.
James worked as the Operations Manager at the Gateway Mall location of Miller & Paine department store, and later worked at Armstrong Furniture. He retired from University of Nebraska Lincoln as an accountant in 2021, after 26 years of service.
James was a member of the Lincoln Jaycees chapter and especially loved working in their haunted house. He was an assistant Girl Scout Leader for his daughter’s troop. He enjoyed spending time at the Poudre River in Colorado, gardening, and cooking for his family. He was a life-long Husker fan.
Family members include his wife, Stephanie Budell; daughter Cody (Matt) Johnson; granddaughter Aurora Johnson, all of Lincoln; son Dan Hinds, Kansas City; parents-in-law Tony and Margaret Budell, Lincoln. Preceded in death by his parents.
Private Family Service.
Memorials to the Capital Humane Society.