James L. German

James L. German, Jr died at home in his sleep on May, 14, 2023 after a long illness.  He was born in Montgomery, Alabama. At the age of 4, his family first moved to New Haven, Connecticut.  At age 9, James’s family moved again to Albany, New York. He attended New Haven, Connecticut and Albany city schools; and after graduating high school, enlisted in the Marines for four years, and received an Honorable Discharge in 1977.  While in the Marines, James excelled in marksmanship/sharpshooting, and received several awards and medals for his rifle expertise.  James had enjoyed his deployment to Japan and almost decided to remain in Japan after being discharged, but he missed the USA and returned. 

James next chapter would be enrollment into Hudson Valley’s licensed NYS Security Officer program. This enabled him to gain the following jobs: Public Safety Officer for University Heights, Hospital Security Officer at Albany Memorial hospital, Public Safety Officer at RPI, and while at RPI completed 80 hours of Peace Officer certification. James then took a series of state and county exams for Police Officer, Public Safety Officer, and Fireman – and landed a County appointment as an Albany County Security Officer stationed at just about every County building in Albany and retired after over 20 years.

 At 6 foot 6, with a deep “Barry White” voice he was always a commanding presence, and everyone was always asking him to do radio or voiceovers with his voice.  James was truly so much fun as a husband and father.  Family traveling, bow and rifle hunting, ALL SPORTS, music, Marine memorabilia, and buying old cars and fixing them up and re-selling them were all hobbies of his.

Married on Sept 7, 1986 at the Metropolitan Baptist church, James is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Lenora; His half-brother Carl German; nephews Donovan and Jamison German; Ernie and Matthew Brockington and DeMarcus Singleton;  and half-sister Pastor Athena Womack (Monte); nieces Kadija and Kenya h’jones);  Asia Brewer (Nicholas) of NC;  Telisa and Andrea Singleton (NC); his mother-in-law Gloria Neal Singleton (Charlotte, NC); sister-in-law Gloria Lynn Singleton (NC); his cousin Willie Tarrance (Ruth) of Tennessee; and his late daughter’s godfather and cousin Billy Chaffin (Kingston, NY);  late daughter’s godmother Stephanie Cherny (Wyoming); Aunt Mariah Steele and Aunt Pearlie Lockett (Alabama); Uncle Henderson German (Albany, NY); and several other Kingston, NY; Albany, NY, Alabama, Michigan and Florida relatives and friends.  James was pre-deceased by his late daughter (LaTisha Chanel), his Mother Zola Mae Tarrance, his Father James Lee German, Sr; and his beloved Aunt Virginia “Callie” Mallory of Michigan.

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