Gerald Heber James

June 17, 1937 - August 16, 2020

Gerald Heber James died on Aug. 16, 2020, in Mansfield, Texas. He was 83. Gerald was born to George Heber James and Norma Morris on June 17, 1937, in Phoenix, Ariz. He was the second of seven children and the only son. As a child growing up in Phoenix, he played violin and excelled in science and math. Gerald served in the Great Lakes Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1957 to 1959, spending most of his time ministering to families in Ohio. Shortly after his return to Arizona, he married Quola Mae Hatch on Jan. 22, 1960, in the Mesa Arizona Temple. Together they had six sons and one daughter. Gerald graduated from Arizona State University and later earned a master’s degree in mathematics from Purdue University in Indiana. He also studied in a doctoral program at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. During his college years, he served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves as a medical supply specialist. His final rank was private first class (PFC). Gerald and his young family lived in Nigeria from 1964 to 1967, while he taught math in a Ford Foundation program. Gerald spent most of his career as a math teacher at Phoenix College and Glendale Community College in Arizona. After retirement he lived in Illinois and Texas. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, four sisters, seven children, 25 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Two grandchildren and one great-granddaughter preceded him in death. Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, August 28, 2020 in the chapel of the funeral home. 500 E. Main St. Grand Prairie, Texas 75050, burial will follow at Moore Memorial Gardens in Arlington, Texas. Arrangements entrusted to Guerrero-Dean Funeral Home under the direction of Aaron King, Funeral Director.