Thomas Dawson James
December 4, 1935 – December 11, 2024
Thomas Dawson James, “Tommy,” died peacefully on December 11, 2024, in his home in Jasper, Georgia among family and friends.
Tommy was born in Ruston and graduated from Ruston High School and Louisiana Tech University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After college, Tommy worked for T.L. James and Company, the family construction and dredging business founded by his grandfather.
He started at the bottom and rose through the ranks to become the President and CEO, a position from which he retired after a career spanning several decades. After Tommy’s retirement, he and his first wife, Sissy, spent time traveling to Georgia to be near their eldest daughter and two grandchildren.
Eventually, Tommy and Sissy relocated permanently to Big Canoe, Georgia, and Tommy lived his final years in Jasper after marrying his second wife, Velma. Both Sissy and Velma preceded him in death, as did his younger daughter, Kaia James.
Tommy was devoted to his family and friends, and he loved spending time with them. He is survived by his eldest daughter, Ann (Jim) Jackson, his grandchildren, Victoria (Jason Atwood) Jackson and Tom (Kaitlin) Jackson, and three great grandchildren, Mark Atwood, Ellen Jackson, and Grace Jackson, all of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also survived by many relatives in Louisiana. He was especially close to the children of his late brother, G.W. James: Bill James, Metairie, David James, Baton Rouge, Mark James, Metairie, Bob James, Ruston, Jeff James, Baton Rouge, and Ginger Halford, Tyler, Texas.
In addition to being an accomplished engineer and corporate executive, Tommy was an expert operator of construction and marine equipment, an avid hunter and outdoorsman, and a skilled private pilot. Tommy’s favorite job during his career at T.L. James and Company was managing its shop in Ruston, overseeing the servicing and repair of construction equipment and a fleet of vehicles. Tommy himself was a talented mechanic, and he spent many hours working in his own shop on various projects.
He could often be found in his shop using his extensive inventory of tools and machinery to maintain his small fleet of vehicles and commercial equipment, completing projects for one of his favorite charities, Waypoint Ministry, or welding “ enhancements” to his equipment or household items. To relax, Tommy liked to play the guitar and sing. He especially loved country music.
When he wasn’t working in his shop, Tommy volunteered his time at Waypoint Ministry. He was incredibly generous to family, friends, and organizations like Waypoint that he felt called to support.
He was a devout Christian and his faith guided his life. He was a former member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana and Trinity Church in Marble Hill, Georgia.
A celebration of Tommy’s life will be held at the Waypoint Chapel, 129 Center Point Drive, Dahlonega, Georgia, at a date in the near future. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Waypoint Ministry at waypointministry.com.
