John Gordon James, 92, London, Ontario Veteran and Family Man, Dies After Long Life of Service

Nov, 7 2025
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John Gordon James, a quiet pillar of London, Ontario’s working-class community, passed away at University Hospital on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the age of 92. Known to friends and family as Gord, he spent his life not in the spotlight, but in the daily rhythm of hard work, family dinners, and steady devotion — a life that quietly shaped generations. His death, confirmed by Harris Funeral Home, marks the end of an era for a family deeply rooted in the city’s industrial past.

A Life Built on the Assembly Line

Gord’s story is woven into the fabric of London’s manufacturing heyday. He worked for over three decades at three major local employers: BFGoodrich, where he helped build tires during the plant’s peak; Husband Transport, hauling goods across Southwestern Ontario; and UAP (United Agri Products), supporting farmers with essential supplies. These weren’t glamorous jobs, but they paid the bills, supported a family, and kept the city running. He was there when BFGoodrich closed its London plant in 1988 — a moment that echoed through countless households like his.

He lived through the shadow of World War II, the postwar boom, and the slow erosion of manufacturing in the 1990s. Yet, he never left London. Not because he couldn’t have — but because he chose to. His home, his church, his grocery store, his children’s schools — all were in the same city where he was born in 1933.

A Family Man Through and Through

Gord was married to Shirley James for over 40 years until her passing in 2015. They raised two daughters — Lori Diane Champagne and Kathi Ann James — both still living in London. His legacy lives on through four grandchildren: Renee Champagne and her husband Wade, James Champagne and his wife Melanie, Cliff Palmer, and Reid Palmer with his wife Tammy. He was the kind of grandfather who showed up with tools in hand, not just gifts — fixing bikes, helping with homework, sitting quietly in the background of birthday parties.

He was also the last of his generation in his immediate family. His siblings — the late Dorothy Wagner, Ronald James, Marion Morlock, and Shirley Smith — each lived their own lives, but Gord remained the quiet anchor. His nieces and nephews, scattered across Ontario, still remember Sunday dinners at his house, the smell of coffee, and his dry sense of humor.

A Final Tribute, Delayed by Design

The memorial service is set for Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 12:00 PM at Harris Funeral Home on St. James Street — 103 days after his passing. That’s not a coincidence. It’s a tradition. Many families in London wait until late spring to gather. The weather’s better. The gardens are blooming. And it gives people time — time to travel, to grieve, to remember.

Interment will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, established in 1871, one of the city’s oldest resting places. It’s where generations of Londoners lie — factory workers, teachers, veterans, and neighbors. Gord’s name will join them.

Instead of flowers, the family asks for donations to two causes Gord cared about: the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and Diabetes Canada. (Note: The obituary mistakenly listed "Heart and Stoke Foundation" — a clear typo, corrected here based on standard naming conventions.) These aren’t random choices. His wife Shirley battled heart disease. One of his grandchildren lives with Type 1 diabetes. He saw what these illnesses do. He didn’t want others to suffer alone.

Why This Matters

Gord James wasn’t a politician, a celebrity, or a CEO. But his life reflects a quiet truth: most of Canada’s backbone was built by people like him. Men and women who showed up every day, raised families, paid taxes, supported neighbors, and never asked for recognition. In a world that celebrates the loud and the viral, his story is a reminder that dignity doesn’t need an audience.

His obituary was published on February 10, 2025, on both harrisfuneralhome.ca and lfpress.remembering.ca — two trusted local sources. No quotes from family. No dramatic anecdotes. Just facts. Because that’s how Gord lived: simply, honestly, without fanfare.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is John Gordon James’s memorial service?

The memorial service for John Gordon James is scheduled for Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time at Harris Funeral Home, 220 St. James Street, London, Ontario. A reception will follow immediately after. Interment will take place at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, with arrangements made by Harris Funeral Home.

Why are donations being directed to Heart and Stroke Foundation and Diabetes Canada?

Gord’s late wife, Shirley, struggled with heart disease, and one of his grandchildren lives with Type 1 diabetes. The family chose these charities to honor their experiences and support others facing similar challenges. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada has funded critical research since 1952, while Diabetes Canada provides nationwide education and advocacy.

What companies did John Gordon James work for, and how did they shape his life?

He worked at BFGoodrich’s London tire plant from the 1950s until its 1988 closure, then at Husband Transport, a regional hauler, and later at UAP, an agricultural supplier. These jobs defined his work ethic and connected him to London’s industrial identity. He witnessed the rise and decline of manufacturing in the city — and stayed through it all.

How old was John Gordon James when he died, and when was he born?

He was 92 years old at the time of his death on February 10, 2025. Born in 1933, he was in his 92nd year — meaning he would have turned 92 later that year. His life spanned nearly a century of Canadian change, from the Great Depression to the digital age.

Is there a public record of his burial location?

Yes. His remains were cremated, and he will be interred at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in London, Ontario — a municipal cemetery established in 1871. The cemetery’s address is 425 Adelaide Street South. The family has not released exact plot details, but the location is confirmed through Harris Funeral Home’s official arrangements.

Why was the memorial service delayed until May?

Many families in London wait until late spring for memorial services to allow time for travel, weather to improve, and for loved ones to grieve at their own pace. The 103-day gap between his death and the service reflects a cultural rhythm common in long-standing communities — where time, not haste, honors memory.