Daniel James III receiving an award from his Dad, Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. (photo via AF.mil)
*We have sad news to report about Lt. Gen. Daniel James III. Unfortunately we’ve learned the General James has passed away at age 71. (Our earlier posting said he was 72, which was incorrect.)
We spoke with General James’ widow, Dana James, who informed us that he passed away after years of battling congestive heart failure. (Our earlier report said he suffered from prostate cancer – which was incorrect.)
He is survived by immediate family members: wife Dana; their son Daniel Steven James and the General’s brother Claude “Spuddy” James.
Funeral services – which are being handled by the McGuire Funeral Services, Inc. – are scheduled for August 23 in Washington, DC at Shiloh Baptist Church.
Visitation will be from 9:00am to 11:00am followed by the funeral service from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Repass at Heritage Hall Shiloh Baptist Church. Internment will be announced at a later date.
Background
Lt. Gen. Daniel James III was the director of the Air National Guard from 3 June 2002 to 20 May 2006 and is the son of famed General Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr who died in 1978 of a heart attack. (see photo above of father and son).
General James holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, from the University of Arizona, Tucson, and graduated from the Air Command and Staff College in 1981 and the National Security Management Course in 1992.
He performed 500 combat flying hours in Southeast Asia and earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses. He was the first African-American to become the director of the Air National Guard. General James was an airline pilot for Continental Airlines.
