John "Kookie" "Jay Jay" James was born October 23, 1959 at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York.  John was the first born of the late John James and Etta James, who lives in St. George, South Carolina with his brother, Lamont.

John was raised in the Farragut Houses, Downtown Brooklyn.  He went to Public School 8, Rothchild Junior High School and Ft. Hamilton High School.

John met Cynthia, (Ronda) in 1977.  They were married a few years later.  This union had two children, John Eric and Shameka.  John worked for the Board of Education in the Transportation Department for 20 years.  He loved to watch basketball, football and wrestling.  John also loved to read the newspaper.  John was life of the party and had a great sense of humor.  He loved to give people nicknames because he couldn't remember their name.

John was called home on May 25, 2022 at 9:06 p.m. to be reunited with his father and daughter, Raquel Francis.

He leaves to cherish his memories:  his beloved wife, Cynthia; son, John Eric (Betty); stepson, Derek; daughter, Shameka; mother, Etta; brother, Lamont; eight grandchildren, Rameeka, Jamar, Tatyana, Dyniqua, Albert, Norman and Jahmiere; two great grandchildren, Roamn and Meilani; two nieces, Devoria and Shamone; one nephew, Shaequan; four aunts, Rumell Brown, Elease Spell, Charlotte Hunter and Maggie Primus; a host of cousins, friends, plus long-time friends, Richard Carter, who is his best friend, Vanessa Frazier and Shonna Robinson.