Wilbur Gene James was born on May 10, 1933, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He passed away peacefully in his sleep with his wife Jan by his side on January 1, 2025. Gene is survived by his wife of 68 years, Janice (Alenduff) James, and his children: Karen (Stanley) Hackney, Linda (Ulmer) Cleland, Neil (Jill) James and Janine (William) Ganger; and his beloved grandchildren, Laura & Anne Hackney, Trevor James, and Christopher & Andrew Ganger.

Gene grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana where he won State Honors in Mathematics while attending Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis. Gene attended Indiana University for one year, then switched to and graduated in three years from Purdue University with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. While working at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, Gene obtained a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering & a Master's degree in Business from The Ohio State University.

Gene was a U.S. Air Force Captain specializing in avionic instrumentation and pilot data communications. Upon severance from the U.S. Air Force, he became a civil servant continuing in the same field of expertise for the U.S. Government. His extensive career in this field was spent primarily at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. After being snowbirds for many years going back and forth from their condo in Florida to their home in Dayton; in 2020 Gene and Jan relocated to Sarasota, Florida. Many summers were spent with his wife and children at Salt Fork State Park, Ohio, camping, boating and fishing. Both Gene and Jan loved going to the different State Parks Ohio has to offer. Gene was an avid bridge player, golfer and genealogist.

Gene was laid to rest at Sarasota National Cemetery in Florida.