Ethan Richard James, 20, of Irwinville, Georgia, died at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital in Tallahassee, Florida. He was a 20-year-old young man, first son, big brother, Primitive Baptist, family member and friend to so many. Due to an accident, His soul and spirit left this Earth to be with his Savior much earlier than his family and friends would have liked.
Funeral services will be held 4 PM, Friday, July 28, 2023, at Crossview Baptist Church in Fitzgerald, Georgia, with Elder Danny Wisner, Elder David Crawford, and Elder Ronnie Loudermilk officiating. Interment will follow in the Irwinville Cemetery with Elder Jon Mizell and Elder Ric Stewart officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday evening, from 6 PM until 8 PM, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, Georgia.
Ethan was born April 17, 2003, in Tifton, Georgia, to Deron & Laura James. He was a 2021 graduate of CHESS Academy and was a student at ABAC studying Rural Community Development. Ethan worked for Chick-fil-A in Tifton and was active in Thrive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Tifton. He recently competed and won a competition in Atlanta. He was a member of Irwinville Primitive Baptist Church where he enjoyed leading the singing. Those that knew him well said he was never embarrassed, even when he should have been. He didn’t care what others thought of him. Instead, he simply cared about others and wanted to make them happy. He fulfilled the Lord’s greatest two commandments seemingly with ease. He wanted to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” And he loved “his neighbor as thyself.” He had a particular burden for homeless people, possibly because His Savior didn’t have a place to rest His head either. He simply wanted to follow after the Lord Jesus Christ and be a little more like him.
Ethan leaves behind a VERY large group of family, church family, and friends. While he left behind an undeniably sad bunch of folks, they try to remember the Apostle Paul’s words “that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” Ethan’s family and friends hope and have an earnest expectation to see Ethan again someday soul, body and spirit when the Savior appears in the clouds. Until that glorious day, he is survived by his parents, Deron & Laura James of Irwinville; siblings: Daniel James, Hannah James and Grace James, all of Irwinville; and his grandparents: Dennis & Donna Edwards of Blairsville and Earl & Kynnette James of Fitzgerald. Many aunts, uncles and cousins also survive along with many friends that loved him.
As a child Ethan wore a superhero cape all the time, so he would be happy to know he gets to be a real superhero and help other people live by being an organ donor and giving the gift of life. His sweet superhero heart will live on.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Irwinville Primitive Baptist Church, c/o John Hancock, 291 Wisteria Drive, Ocilla, GA 31774.