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James Reginald Oxendine, Jr., age 67, of Atlanta, Georgia passed away on January 30, 2017 after a battle with cancer at Emory University Hospital Midtown.
James was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on March 17th, 1949 to parents, James Reginald Oxendine Sr. (Research Physicist), and Ruby Woodley Oxendine (Mental Health Technician). He lived there until the family moved to Dayton, Ohio in 1956. He spent most of his young life in Dayton until he graduated from Nettie Lee Roth HS in 1967. James then moved to Wilberforce, Ohio where he attended Central State University, graduating with Magna Cum Laude with a BA degree in 1971. He then attended Georgetown Law School, Washington, DC . After receiving his JD degree in 1974 from Georgetown Law School, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia where attended Clark Atlanta University working on his Doctorate Degree. James worked on various urban development projects for the city of Atlanta. He lived the remaining years of his life in Atlanta, GA with his close friend and confidant Ernestine Garey.
While at Clark Atlanta University, James was awarded a Ford Fellowship in Political Science. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi – Graduate Chapter, Urban Land Institute, Central Atlanta Kiwanis Club. James served as CEO of the Community Development Service – The Oxendine Group, Food writer for the Atlanta Magazine and other magazines. James also served as Project Director – Minority Business Development, Director – Small Business Administration, Section Chief – Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Project Director – Auburn Avenue Main Street Project, and Deputy Director Community Empowerment Initiative at Martin Luther King, Jr. Center. He was a Christian, an avid tennis player, and enjoyed writing articles about food.
James is survived by daughters, Lisa, Angie, Bobbi, and Victoria; brother, Robert Oxendine (Pam) of Durham, NC; sisters, Sheryl Oxendine of Vandalia, OH, and Terri Copeland (Ronnie) of Dayton, OH. Other survivors include cousins, Sally Smith of Sewickley, PA, Kent Ferguson of Middletown, OH; and nieces and nephews, Phillip Oxendine, Nicole Oxendine, Robert Oxendine, II, Alece Oxendine, Christina Oxendine and Jamie Oxendine. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Oxendine, Research Physicist and Ruby Oxendine, Mental Health Technician; and aunts, Olive Bell Smith and Esther Ferguson.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of James will be held 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at Tim Stewart Funeral Home Chapel, 300 Simonton RD, SW, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. Georgia Cremation, Duluth, GA 678-584-0914 is assisting the family. Messages of condolence may be viewed or shared at www.GeorgiaCremation.com. The family wishes to share their memorial video by visiting the Georgia Cremation YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/Tm5c7-9H6Yo.
Jetty Seals Wells says
I remember our days at Nettie Lee Roth High School in Dayton, Ohio, James was always very nice and always seemed to be a cool gem! After graduation as most of us do, we went different paths, but we were reunited at one of our class reunions and he was still nice and a cool gem! Sending prayers to the family! REST IN HEAVEN my Dear Classmate, Falcons forever!
Cheryl Flucas says
My condolences and prayers to the family and loved ones of Jamez Oxendine.
Cheryl Flucas says
My condolences and prayers to the family and loved ones of James Oxendine.
Faye Brandon says
Offering condolences to you, the family at this time. May the strength snd peace of God reside with you now. The memories of your beloved are now priceless treasures.
Sincerely,
Faye Brandon
Friend of the Robert Oxendine family
McDaniel Roberts says
My prayers to the Oxendine family.
R A Guy Jr says
RIP James.
Bro. Reggie Guy
Michael Nelson says
Ox, we’ll miss your unique personality. You were a true renaissance man.
Dr. Solina Richards says
Grace & mercy to the Oxendine Family from Evangelist CC & Dr. Solina Richards of Durham, NC
Hilary says
So sorry to hear this. James was a food writer for us at Creative Loafing Atlanta. He will be very missed.
Tim Gaddis says
Alsways a joy to see him walk into my cheese department. He had an infectious smile. He will be missed.
Brother Ganiyu Jerry Ladipo says
A great brother,classmate class of 1971 CSU, alumni member Atlanta chapter MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lump says
Ox, thanks for the memories, RIP
Rev. Gary McCants says
My condolences to the family of our good friend and brother who was a truly unique personality and scholar. CUS Chief Brother and friend from AU Gary; and political science classmate Galda. We both will miss him.
Robert Herrring says
Ox,My heartfelt prayers are with your family.
Big J says
Sincere condolences to one of my favorite college classmates. Ox was one of a kind! R.I.P.
Michael Roger Andrews RHS "70 says
I wish to express and share my sympathies to the Oxendine family. Robert, Terri, Sheryl .. your brother was a person who came through Roth H.S. in an era when a lot of the persons I admired dressed and spoke well; neat in appearance, thoughtful, educated/intellectual thinkers who wore and presented an optisism, style and class that made me and others want to follow the same path.
Central Upward Bound, Central State and beyond. Always a solid and personable man modeling and living success and progress in difficult times and circumstances. He will be missed.
Falcons Forever
Terry Hayes Smith says
My deepest sympathy for the family. He will be truly missed. May he rest in peace in heaven. We will see you later.
Terry Hayes Smith says
Deepest sympathy for the family. Rest in heaven James
Gail Choice says
I remember your smile! What a wonderful and kind person you were to me. God Bless, and Thank-You for the Legacy you’ve left for your family and friends.
Paula Bryant says
It breaks my heart to hear you have gone. I did not know. We were Facebook friends again after many years. We spent many classes together at Roth – because we both loved science and math. God speed to you and grace and love to your family. Paula White Bryant, MD, Houston, Tx
Lenard Jackson says
Wow! Another one of are classmates. Sorry to hear about your passing. Rest in peace.
Lenard Jackson c/of 1967
Arthur Cole, Jr. says
James’s passing saddens me. I don’t think I ever met a more well rounded individual, with more zest for life. He was my supervisor at the King Center, earnest and demanding about the work, but also funny as hell. He was always, “in the know” about an amazing variety of subjects. I offer my sincerest condolences to his loved ones. I am grateful to have known this good brother.