Obituary of Deacon James Thomas Day

The human life can be compared to a single day in time, rising with a new dawning of light; reaching a full brilliance and then setting in its final glory days. Deacon James Thomas Day, Sr. was born on September 5, 1932 in Northport, Alabama to John S. Day and Daisy Grove. The youngest of four children, James had one brother, Elbert and two sisters, Berneice and Willie Nell. A happy and enterprising child, he always had chickens he raised and ways to make money. With his entrepreneurial gift, he had his own barbershop at age 16. He built a cart that his pet billy goat could pull him in around the neighborhood. Educated in the public school system, he graduated from Tuscaloosa County Training High School. He continued his education at Stillman College where he earned a B.S. in Physics. On June 14, 1956, James was united in marriage with the love of his life and childhood sweetheart (met her in kindergarten), Dellcenia Hamilton. The couple were married by Reverend Wendell T. Liggins in Denver, CO. To this union were born three precious children, James, Jr., Valerie and Lloyd. He was a loving husband and devoted father.James' dear grandchildren, Stephenie, Jon, Tyler, Kai, Cesalie, Ian, Brandon and Jennifer and eight great grandchildren were an added joy in his life. He loved them. They loved him, too. James proudly served his country in the United States Air Force as a civilian instructor for thirty three years. After retiring from the Air Force and receiving numerous awards, he was employed with the Emily Griffith Opportunity School in Denver for nineteen years. His position with the school was Instructor. His co-workers and students loved and respected him. A man of deep faith in God, James was a member of Zion Baptist Church beginning in 1956; sixty years. He served the Lord and his church in the office of Deacon, on the Solace Committee Ministry, New Members Chair, the Choir and was a charter member of Zion Credit Union. In his free time, James enjoyed family, friends, fishing and gardening. His love, faith, kindness and caring for his family will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to have shared a part of James' life. To know him was to love him. The final chapter of the book of the life of Deacon James Thomas Day, Sr. "Shag" was written and the pages closed on March 17, 2016 when the Lord wrote the final line and called him home to eternal rest. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, sister, Willie Nell and son, Lloyd. Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife, Dellcenia Day of Denver, CO; son, James T. (Michelle) Day, Jr. of Onley, MD; daughter, Valerie (Stephen) Wilburn of Denver, CO; sister, Berneice Barnett of Chicago, IL; brother-in-law, Raymond Hamilton; nine grand-children; eight great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends. Rest in peace... "Shag"