Allen Lamont James

Allen Lamont James passed away on January 14, 2025, in Kennewick, Washington, at the age of 77. He was born on May 9, 1947, in Redding, California, to Jesse and Janet James and was the fourth of six siblings: Jesse, Harvey, Frank, Jalma, and Dennis.

Allen served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Panama, where he met his former wife and mother of his four children, Cheryl. After their marriage, they moved to Oregon, where Allen worked as an electronics technician for Phillips Electronics. He later transitioned to work as a firewood cutter and logger, spending much of his life in that profession.

Allen lived a life defined by its unique complexities. He was a man of many facets—one who embraced simple joys like playing chess, riding dirt bikes, and playing the harmonica, yet faced profound challenges that shaped the course of his journey.

Allen is survived by his four children: Sonya, Jesse, Allen, and Dolly, as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, a sister, and many nephews and nieces. Not much is known about the last 18 years of his life, as his time was spent apart from his children and family, and their relationships remained distant.

Despite the struggles he faced, his children choose to honor the man they once knew and the moments of connection that brought them joy. In remembering him, they carry forward the lessons of resilience, complexity, and the enduring power of family bonds.

Please share memories of Allen with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon is in care of arrangements.

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