Kenneth Wayne James

Kenneth Wayne James, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather aged 78, went home to be with the Lord on November 21, 2025 in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. 

Kenneth was born on August 8, 1947 in Albuquerque, New Mexico and moved to Pueblo, Colorado while in high school. After graduating, he went to Wisconsin to visit his aunt. There he met Carol. They were married on June 27, 1970 in Edson, Wisconsin, and started their family in 1972. In November, 1973 he accepted Jesus as his Savior and Lord. Over the next several years, the family continued to grow, and he and Carol began missionary training with New Tribes missions. After serving the Lord in Mexico, they moved back to the US in 1981. Ken worked for Professional Urethanes selling commercial roofs and then as a salesman for Culligan. After retiring from Culligan he grew bored and decided to drive a school bus for the Reedsburg School District. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Archie Theodore James and Mary Irene (Hunt) James, his sisters Phylis James and Beverly (James) Cairney, and his grandson Timothy Wayne Michael James. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Carol Ann (Licht) James; his daughter Tesha Shar (James) Fox, her husband Eric David Fox, and their children James Louis Wayne Fox and Spencer John Kenneth Fox; his son Jordan Kelly James, his wife Tonya Marie (Carter) James, and their children Anna Marie (James) Mitchell and her husband Hunter Joseph Mitchell, Megan Kelsey (James) Bickford, her husband Wyatt Steven Bickford and their son Archer Wyatt Bickford, and John Wayne Theodore James; his son Jonathan Frederick James and his children Emma Ann Marie James, Alexander Jonathan Kenneth James, and Jordyn Marian Belle James; his son William Sidney James; and his daughter Charlotte-Ann Michael (James) Schwark, her husband Craig Schwark, and their children Hazel Ann Irene James and Joanne Carol Rose Schwark.

Over the years, Ken continued to serve the Lord through involvement in his church and sharing His Word with the many people he encountered. One of Ken’s greatest joys was to discuss scripture and the various books he had studied. He also enjoyed reading and talking about science, especially topics related to Creation. Ken also had many hobbies enjoyed throughout the years. These included hunting and fishing, trap shooting, radio controlled air planes, and most recently baking sourdough bread. He had a passionate love-hate relationship with the sport of golf. He also loved to share these activities with family.

There will be visitation at Farber Funeral Home 2000 Viking Dr, Reedsburg, WI on Friday, November 28th from 4:00-6:00 pm and at Bible Baptist Church, 809 Explorers Ln, Reedsburg, WI on Saturday November 29th from 9:30-10:30 am. The funeral service will be held at the church from 10:30 -11:30 am, and will be followed by a luncheon. Interment will be at Edson Union Cemetery #36, County Hwy D, Stanley, WI.