James Steven Mize

James Steven Mize, 69, passed away peacefully at Mission Hospital in Asheville NC on June 26 2024, after open heart surgery and three weeks in the Intensive Care Unit.

Born October 29 1954, in the bosom of central Georgia, James was the youngest child of Vincent and Adelle (Ensley) Mize. His parents and sister, Virginia (Mize) Elkins preceded him in death. James is survived by his wife Joni, his brothers Neal and David, his son Erik and stepdaughter Randa, as well as beloved in-laws, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews, named below.

James grew up on a farm near Byron GA in what was known as the old Peavy house on White Road. His mother always said he was called a “sweet baby” long before the James Taylor song. James loved to tell folks he was raised by an Airedale named Rex, a constant companion. As testament to this, in his wallet to the end, James carried a 60-year-old photograph of himself and Rex together on the front porch. Rex once ran at and turned a charging bull to protect James.

An old-school free-range kid, James spent hours roaming the woods and fields and places all around him. With that exploration came a love and appreciation for the natural world that he held close all his life. His father once told him, “If you want to be smart son, watch the animals”, so he did. And he watched trees and plant life, and living water in rivers, lakes, and streams. James watched the sea, the stars and the seasons.

What held equal fascination for him? Engines and machines of course. As a youngster too short to see over and under the hood, James would climb up and stand on the front fender to watch his father work on a car. He “fixed” his bike, disassembled and reassembled lawn mowers, drove a tractor at 14, and when he was 15 worked part time at a filling station, pumping gas and fixing flats. After a while he started working at a car dealership in Fort Valley. His dream was to build engines for NASCAR. When his dad had another idea, to become a Tool and Die Maker, it would change the course of James’ life.

Graduating from Peach County High School in 1973, marriage and fatherhood followed quickly. James apprenticed with his father for four years to earn his Journeyman card and began a work career that spanned 45 years. Industrial and military projects took him from coast to coast and James discovered he was autodidactic. To keep pace with innovation, James adapted and reinvented himself, becoming a 3D Laser Coordinate Measurement System specialist and instructor. Hands on, from the ground up, expertise shaped his approach to training. Doing good work mattered to James Mize.

Overcoming undiagnosed dyslexia, James read voraciously – history, science, philosophy, psychology, black studies, world civilizations, case and field studies, biographies – you name the subject, he probably read about it. His reading list is eclectic and informative. And yes, he read the Bible all the way through, more than once.

James studied astronomy and was an amateur stargazer. He took his son to watch sunrises and go on adventures fishing and camping and he coached Little League for a time. As a young man, James played basketball and volleyball, batted left-handed in baseball, and ran marathons. He loved music and motorcycles, travel and art. He was an incredible photographer, capturing moments in stillness that sometimes even surprised him. And he was a good hugger, a really good hugger.

James loved his family and friends, his dogs, his work and his coworkers, and ultimately, he loved his life, appreciating the technology that extended his life twice. He sometimes spoke about how artificial valves and a pacemaker allowed him time to become a Quaker and experience true beloved community.

James is survived by brothers in law Jeff, Buck, Bruce, and Don; sisters in law Sue, Cathy, Jenny, and Jill; grandchildren David Brennan, Alonna, and Cameron; great-grandson Makai; nephews Travis, Aaron, Barrett “Bear”, Eli, Luke, Josh, Jordan, Jonathan, and Ethan; nieces Sarah, Leah, Rachel, Hannah, Julia and Taylor.

A memorial service and celebration of life is being planned for Labor Day weekend. More information will be available soon. Text to 478 714 5367 to be added to email list.   

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