Lester "Monk" James, Sr., 89, of Palatka, entered the sunset of life on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at Halifax Health Medical Center, Daytona Beach. The son of Willie and Addie (Bradshaw) James, he was born on Thursday, August 10, 1933 in Cairo (Grady County), GA.  After relocating to Palatka, Lester was educated in the Putnam County School District and a 1952 graduate of Central Academy High School. On April 15, 1953, he was inducted into the United States Army. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. CPL (T) Lester James earned an honorable discharge on April 13, 1955.

After successfully completing his military assignment, Lester returned to Palatka and worked as a tissue converting machine operator at Georgia-Pacific until retirement. Lester was a former member of Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church. He was a member of Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church. He enjoyed watching sports and playing cards.

In addition to his parents, Lester was preceded in eternal rest by his sons, Vern Laurry James and Darryl James; brothers, Willie James, Jr. and Cleveland James, Sr.; sisters, Dorothy Hagans and Josephine Williams; first wife, Bernice "Bern" Laurry James.

He leaves to cherish his memories: wife of 22 years, Alice Mae Epps-James, Palatka; daughter, Dawn Michelle (Allen) Jones, Providence Forge, VA; sons, Lester James, Jr., Blytheville, AR; Keith (Veronica) James, Pembroke Pines; Torrance (Angela Clark) Boyd, Palatka; 21 grandchildren; and a host of god children, other relatives and close friends.

Visitation of family and friends will be 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., Friday, May 5, at "Flagg's Chapel of Serenity." Celebration of Life with military honors will be 2 p.m., Saturday, May 6, at Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church, 4909 St. Johns Ave., Palatka, Rev. Karl N. Flagg, Pastor, is the eulogist. Interment will be 9 a.m., Monday, May 8, Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Rd., Jacksonville.