Robert (Robby) James

Robert Latimer James October 30, 1968 - December 7, 2002

Robert Latimer James was born to Christine Cole and Bob James in Walnut Creek, California on October 30, 1968. He spent the first 4 years of his life in Albany California while his father Bob completed his Ph.D. at the University of California at Berkeley.

Rob's family left Berkeley in May, 1972 heading for the east coast, where they lived in Chapel Hill, North Carolina until moving to Seattle in 1973. Rob lived alternately with his father Bob in Seattle and his mother Christine in Auburn and Federal Way during his teenage years. While in Auburn, Rob was the favorite member and STAR! of the Parks and Recreation Junior Basketball program. He was a natural. He "had game!" He also attended Decatur High School in Federal Way.

Rob landed his first job in 1985, when he worked as a courtesy clerk for $3.50/ hour at the Capital Hill Safeway on 15th in Seattle. He made the rounds in the grocery business over the next few years, working for Safeway, QFC, and Food Giant as an apprentice and finally as a journeyman. In addition, he worked briefly for Hickory BBQ in Federal Way between 1985 and 1986 and for Pizza Haven on the "Ave" in 1988.

Then one day in 1992, Rob walked into Ezell's Fried Chicken to ask if they were hiring. Little did he know that day would mark the beginning of a ten-year relationship with his other family: Lewis Rudd and Ezell Stephens. Rob learned all the ins and outs of the restaurant business from the ground up. He knew as much about cleaning the friers and mopping the floors as he did about frying that famous chicken. He became a cherished member of the Ezell team. To the end Rob held a warm and unremitting place in his heart for the friendship, love, and support he received there, especially from Lewis.

Over the course of his life Rob became a scholar of history, reading everything he could find on the Second World War. Ask him anything, and he could recount the details with precision. He was a voracious reader. He devoured books with a passion, losing himself in their magic. From The New York Times, The Seattle Times, the great classics, to historical manuscripts, his quest for knowledge was unfailing.

And how he loved sports! Growing up in Montlake, in the shadow of Husky Stadium, he remained a loyal fan to the end. He enjoyed the bantering with his brother over the Huskies and the Cougs and took great satisfaction that the Huskies dominated the record books for the Apple Cup.

Rob touched the lives not only of his family members but of all those who came to know him. In spite of the many wars that were raging inside of him, he always managed a sincere smile and a warm hug for those he loved. He rarely revealed the pain that sometimes showed in his eyes. He wanted to make us all happy. He wanted to get well so that we wouldn't have to suffer.

And he came close so many times. Just this past summer, Rob met "The Angel Woman," Brenda Mayer. With her help and loving support, for the first time ever, Rob made the decision to enter into a residential treatment program. He even stayed for the entire 60 days! Those were precious days for us as we talked with him by phone. He sounded happy and upbeat again ... like the Robby we knew.

But the demons were too big and too deep. And only hours after leaving treatment, Rob found himself drawn again to the vices that wouldn't let him go.

Our loss is unspeakable.

But now he is free. No longer a slave to the monster that held him captive for too many years of his young life. He is free to soar among us in the very air that we breathe, the sun that lights our days, the rain that pounds the street and nourishes our earth, and the chilly breezes that blow in off Puget Sound. He is the Light, all Goodness, and Pure Love.

Robby made his transition on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 2002. He is survived by his mother, Christine Cole; his father, Bob James; his brother, David Cole James; his step-mom Robin Lester; his aunt and uncle Suzy and Tom McQuary and aunt Nancy Fox; his cousins Jamie, Julie, and Joshua, along with countless friends and acquaintances - Russ, Andrea and Heida, Lewis, Jeremy, George, and Russell.

Memorial service 1:30 PM Saturday, December 14, 2002, at Columbia Funeral Home.

Please sign the online guest book and share your memories of Robby on this memorial (click 'Sign Guestbook').