James Priest
James Priest
James Priest was a big man full of personality, laughter, and love. He was born in Silver Creek, New York on Sept. 3, 1943, to parents Charles and Charlotte (Chesbro) Priest. He received his Associates degree from Jamestown Community College and worked for Altel Phone Company and was the owner of Bulldog Promotions.
An Avid Baseball fan, Jim coached Babe Ruth Baseball in Forestville, New York for 10 years and was an umpire in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Erie Counties for 20 years.
In 1995, Jim and his family moved to Troy, Michigan where he lived until his death on Jan. 11, 2021.
Jim was an active member of his church, Faith Lutheran in Troy, where he was head of the food pantry and an active volunteer in Project Moses Mission for many years. Jim enjoyed travelling to Brazil on mission trips and visiting family in Texas, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Western New York. Jim was known best for his love of card games and his dance moves. Jim competed in local dance contests in his younger days.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, his former wife, Barbara Priest; his son James Priest II, his brothers-in-law Lemuel Morgan and Harold Boerst, and father-in-law James Boerst. He will be missed greatly by his family: wife of 32 years, Roxanne Priest; son, David (Laura Mohamed) of Center Line, Michigan; daughter Kimberly Priest of Hamburg, New York; and granddaughter, Paige Priest of Irving, New York; sister Marge Morgan of Holly Springs, Georgia; in-laws, Mary Penna of Fort Pierce, Florida; Sue Boerst of Falconer, New York, Bill Boerst (Denise) of Janesville, Wisconsin, Michelle Boerst of Aubrey, Texas, and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Jim will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers contributions for the Brazil mission can be sent to:
Lutheran Church of the Cross, 77 Rockland St, Hanover, MA 02339