George James

George Lloyd “Jesse” James, 88, of Millcreek, passed peacefully on March 31, 2016 at the VA Medical Center in Erie. He was born on April 19, 1927 in Lock Haven, PA, a son of the late Dorothy and Charles Lewis and Charles James.

After graduating from Lock Haven High School, Jesse joined the Marines in 1945, serving in WWII and the Korean War. He also served as a presidential guard for President Truman for fourteen months in Washington, D.C. He was a very proud Marine who was honored to have served his country and our leaders until 1952. After serving in the Marines, he worked as a machinist at Penn Aluminum for 36 years.

Jesse is survived by his devoted wife, Caroline, to whom he was married to for 40 years; six children: Margaret “Peggy” Ruffin (William), Patricia Ingro (Samuel), Elizabeth “Penny” Best (Bruce), Pamela James, Paula Kitelinger and Peter James all of Erie; five stepchildren: Linda Concilla (Samuel), Michele Chereson (Jeffrey), Michael Guerassimoff (Kim), Nadine Guerassimoff and Stephen Guerassimoff. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jesse’s honor to the ANNA Shelter 1555 East 10th, Erie, PA 16511.

Services and burial in Laurel Hill Cemetery will be private at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements were entrusted to Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 West 26th St, Erie, PA 16506.