Gene L. James, 86 of Princeton passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Evansville, IN.

He was born on August 20, 1929 in Rockford, IL to Joseph and Anna (Bawiec) James.

He was a US Navy veteran. He retired from Potter & Brumfield/Siemens after 20 years. He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Princeton. Gene built their home and helped build the Babe Ruth ball field and was a member of the Babe Ruth Hall of Fame. He has a passion for photography and loved model airplanes and corvairs. Gene loved his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Connie (Marsala) James of Princeton; daughter, Suzette Saxe Backer and husband, Don Backer of Patoka; son, Gene James and wife, Kim of Brownsburg; 7 grandchildren, Ryne Saxe, twins-Bree and Kilee Saxe, Rio James , Geno James, Brock James and Lena James; and a brother, Joseph (Patti) James of Georgia.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Jerry James.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Princeton, with Father Brian Emmick, celebrant. Burial will follow at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Princeton. Visitation will be from 10 am until 11:45 am on Saturday at Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton. Family will go in procession to the church for the service. Military Graveside service will be conducted by Retired Military Veterans.