James was born in Leroy, ND on September 18, 1924 to Percy and Mayme Corbit. On August 2, 1950, James married Elda Hornung in Walhalla where they raised their five children: Thomas (Gayle), Anthony (Denise), Lizanne (Craig Tessem), James Tracy (Luz), and Richard (Theresa). James was blessed with 7 grandchildren: Jamey, Rachel, Christopher, Nicholas, Nathan, Courtney and Taylor, and 10 great-grandchildren.
James was preceded in death by his mother and father, wife Elda, a son James Tracy, a granddaughter Brianna, brothers Richard and Donald, as well as his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Albert and Solveig Hornung.
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Pembilier Nursing Center, St. Joseph’s Church Preservation Society of Leroy, ND, or St. Boniface Cemetery.