Jesse James

Jesse James, 51, of Lake Mary, Florida passed away on September 11, 2015. Born in Elmhurst, Queens County, New York, he spent his youth enjoying all that the big city had to offer. He excelled in many sports, earned a black belt in karate and received many awards in basketball and baseball while playing on his high school and college teams. Jesse had a love for planes and automobiles at an early age. He graduated from Aviation High School and then worked as a plane refueler at LaGuardia Airport. After a stint as a lifeguard in Miami, he yearned to continue his schooling and moved to Daytona Beach to attend Embry Riddle's aeronautical engineering program. In 1987, he met his soul mate, Stacy, on the dance floor in a beachside club. They married in 1990 and relocated to Orlando where he received his engineering degree from UCF. Jesse began his career in mechanical engineering with Belfab where he developed a reputation for his meticulous drawings. Those who knew Jesse best will remember him for his love of cars, his Infiniti G35 "The G", NASCAR, Formula One racing and his beloved New York Yankees. To him, the speed limit was always just a suggestion. Jesse loved competition and had a passion for golf, believing it was a challenge against oneself.

Jesse is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Stacy James, two daughters, Cynthia and Clara; his parents, César and Clara James (Longwood); sisters, Tammy Ortega (Juan) of Haverhill, Massachusetts and Jackie James (Longwood); nieces, Shawna Ortega, Brice Campoverdi; nephew, Sedrick "Sed-Man" Colón.
Jesse's extended family includes Uncles Hidalgo De Luna, Ramon De Luna, Salvador De Luna and Schmeling De Luna; Aunt Elvia De Luna; sister in-law Cynthia Jacobs (Bob); and brothers in-law Stephen Stumetz (Aileen) and Willie Perry (Sylvia).
Jesse was engaging, kind and fun-loving and had many close friends. His family would like to especially acknowledge Ralph Garcia (Diane) of Longwood, and their sons Christian and Eric "E-Man"; Al Morales of Hong Kong; Oneida Pierson and Hondo Estrella of Douglasville, PA. Jesse had a long career in aeronautical and defense engineering and made many long lasting relationships. Colleagues especially close to Jesse included his friends Sergie Albina, Robert "Real Deal" McNeill and Robert Cortese.

A Memorial Service for friends and family will be held Friday, September 18, 2015, 3:30pm to 6:30pm at the Newcomer Funeral Home, South Seminole Chapel, 335 E State Road 434, Longwood, Florida, 32750, Phone 407-260-5400. Donations in Jesse's memory may be sent to www.WoundedWarriorProject.org