James, Eugene

1943 - 2016; Eugene James passed away on Sunday, March 27, 2016 at the age of 72. He was laid to rest Monday, April 4, 2016 at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

Eugene was a Army Veteran. He was an outstanding athlete in both football and basketball. This allowed him to travel through out Europe playing sports for the Army. In the 70s, Eugene played for Rockford Rams, a semi-professional team in the Central States Football League, that dominated the local sports scene. Eugene had an extensive career in sales, starting with BASF Corporation (Wyandotte) and Carnation Company to name a few. His last sales job was in the chemical industry for Ecolab. He changed gears and became a Special Agent for the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, where he retired.

During this time he served four years as an Alderman in the south suburbs of Markham, IL; was on the School Board for District 144 for over 10 years; he was a governing board member of the South Metropolitan Association for the mentally challenged children and on the executive board of directors of S.P.E.E.D Co-op. Eugene was the first African American President for the Bremen Township Republican Party. Eugene ran for State Senator for the 15th District.

Some may recognize him from doing several t.v. commercials and heading up a social organization in Chicago (Rumplestillskin) in the 1970’s.

Eugene is survived by the love of his life, Catherine; their daughter, Jacqueline; their nephew (like a son), Kenneth Johnson, his daughter Karen (Michael) Pouncy; three sisters, Eddie Mae Dorsey, Mary Alice Farmer, Lillian (J.C.) Coats; two brothers, Louise "Billy" James, Robert (Fannie) James; one cousin, John "Dicky Boy" Irvin; one sister-in-law, Sammie George; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.