James (Jim or Jimmy) was born in Independence, MO. As a child, his father moved more than if he had been in the military; therefore attended a dozen schools by high school and with the help of several great teachers, graduated in 1994 from Riverton High School in Riverton, KS. Thereupon, enlisted in the Army.

  After the enlistment, he began instructing defensive tactics to police officers, which led to his being asked to apply to a local police department. Between 2000 and 2015 worked for a city, a county, a state, and a federal law enforcement agency.

  Attending the College of the Ozarks in 2010. During the summers, worked in law enforcement and the Army Reserve’s additional training. In May 2013, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Conservation and Wildlife Management, including minors in Biology and Criminal Justice, was awarded just before the 2013 deployment, and afterwards, in law enforcement.

  In 2015, began working for the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service as a Soil Conservation Technician and while being a Detachment First Sergeant (Sergeant First Class in rank) in the Army Reserves. Unfortunately, the untreated injuries and conditions increased in severity over time from the deployment. Requiring multiple surgeries and hospitalizations that limited his abilities. Then medically retired from the Reserves and resigned from the civilian employment position. Placed on the retirement list in May 2024 with 22 years of military service.

 Since February 2025, he has been a member of VFW Post 12130 and voted as Chaplain.