He graduated from Taft CA High school in 1972. He was an avid guitar player and fisherman. Jim loved riding motorcycles and rebuilding cars. He was very handy and creative. You could find him tending to his garden most days and was a professional painter.

He was preceded in death by his dad, Paul Sr. He leaves behind his mother, Juanita; siblings, Diane, Tommy, Donald, Jerry, Cathy, Paul Jr, and step-brothers, Willis and Chris; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

James is survived by his children and their mother, Becky, James, Nichole, Kelly, Shelly, Brittany and his oldest daughter Melinda Teague. He also leaves behind his 18 grandkids; Jjay, Mersadie, Hailee, Shea, Aspen, Trevor, Gabriel, Marcus, Lakell, Quinton, Braxton, Kaylee'anna, Crystal, Jaron, Mallory, Jamyra, Jaylinn and Jorja.