Jay James passed away on March 24, 2023, at the age of 82. Jay was born in Wilmington, Delaware on March 22, 1941, to the former mayor of Wilmington and Attorney General of Delaware, Albert W. James, and Madalin W. James, former Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the University of Delaware. After graduating from Wilmington Friends School, Jay received his bachelor’s degree from Duke University and his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Jay began his career as an attorney with Morris James LLP and went on to become deputy Attorney General of Delaware. He served for 30 years as a Family Court Judge, where he was most proud of his work with families to mediate custody issues before moving to the Court of Common Pleas for the State of Delaware from which he retired from public service.
Jay was an avid outdoor sportsman, participating in bird hunting, fly fishing, and hiking, and enjoyed traveling the world with family and friends. Jay was a dog lover who bred Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, one of whom was featured on the cover of Sports Afield, and rescued many dogs from shelters. He was a generous person who was always willing to lend a hand to others.
Jay was predeceased by both his parents, as well as his brother, Hugh James, and great-niece, Jenna James. He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Barbara A. Neville; her two daughters, Kathy Croasdale and Emily Fisher, and their five children; his brother, Albert W. James, Jr. (Jim); sister-in-law, Nancy James; his cousin Ellen Jennings; his nephews, William James, Benjamin James, and Brooke James, and niece, Laura Brace, and great-nephew, Jarett James, and great-nieces, Alexandra Brace, and Rachel and Natalie James.
The family would like to thank the staff at The Lorelton and Compassionate Care at Hospice for their support and care.
Interment at the Lower Brandywine Cemetery will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Faithful Friends Animal Society 12 Germay Dr. Wilmington, DE, 19804.
