James  BLAKEMAN

James joined the USMC at age 19, and became a parachute rigger on Guadalcanal WWII 1942-44.

James was baptized and married to Alberta Persilver on the same day, 27 Jan 1946. He was father to James Jr, MaryAnnie, John Philip, and Rebecca Denise. He and Alberta were the first two of their respective families to graduate from college, which they did on the GI bill, together, while raising two kids.

James descended from Rev. Adam Blakeman, Oxford graduate, minister, and founder of Stratford, Connecticut; and from many Acadian First Families -Breaux-Trahan-Boudrot-Hebert-LeBlanc-Pitre-Bourg-Gaudet-Comeau-Dugas-Giroir.
James taught in St. Mary Parish, grades 5-12 at various times, at Berwick High School, Wyandotte Elementary, Sumpter Williams, and West End Academy. He is fondly remembered for teaching his "River Rat" students about composting, and the Fertilizer Express - 8th grade class trip to New Orleans all expenses paid by monies students raised selling fertilizer.

James and Alberta built a new home from salvage materials on a small lot in Bayou Vista after the original was destroyed by termites. They did it all themselves, bit by bit, over a ten year period when they were in their sixties.

James could not talk about God, Family, or country without becoming emotional. He shared his heart and home with everyone that came to his door. The coffeepot was always on, and a Cajun feast was ready to serve.

James left the home they built to live under the care of his children in Richmond Texas. He fell and broke his hip one week after the move, and died five weeks later.