James was a retired technician from New Holland. He graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in 1981. He was an avid golfer and loved working with his hands.
He is survived by his wife, Julie; sons, Joshua Lewis, Tyler Lewis (Sarah Wiens), and Jerrad (Kimberly) Stutzman; grandchildren, Oliver Stuart, Henry Stuart, Theo Lewis, Juliet Stutzman, Elliot Stutzman, Cooper Stutzman, and Oliver Stutzman; sister, Kathy (Jerry) White; and brothers, Rick (Linda) Lewis and Mike (Marie) Lewis; brothers and sisters-in-law Jean and Mike Wilson, Jane and Ron Reed, Janet and Rex Peterson, Jackie and Troy Foster, Jerry and Laura Robinson, and Joy Wier; his mother-in-law Diane Grubbs; and many loving nieces, nephews, family, and friends. He is preceded in death by his mother, Abigail (Trinidad) Lewis.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026, at All Faiths Funeral Home (2929 S Locust St, Grand Island, NE 68801).
Memorials are designated to the family or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.