Milford F. "Butch" James, Jr.

Milford "Butch" Francis James, Jr., 69, of New Bedford, Massachusetts, passed away at home after a courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

Born on November 11, 1956, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Milford "Jimmy" Francis James, Sr. and Barbara Mae (Turner) James, and was baptized in the Baptist faith. He loved his family deeply and took pride in being a husband, Dad, and Puppa.

He worked for several years with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health and also as a chef at UMass Dartmouth.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Dorothy Marie (Harris) James; his children, Milford "Butchie" Francis James III of New Bedford, Alisha Marie (James) Morrissey and her husband Stephen Morrissey of Norwood, Massachusetts, and Dr. Amanda Marie James of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Madelyn, Amelia, and Olivia Morrissey, and Justus and Jasmine Holland; his brother, Frederick S. Turner of New Bedford; his beloved nieces, Valerie (Turner) Bonetti and Shantelle Perry; and a large extended family of loving nieces and nephews, cousins, brothers‑in‑law, sisters‑in‑law, and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents and his daughter, retired SSgt. Kharisma Ashlee James, RN, and his sister, Brenda Mae James.

His visiting hours will be held from 10 AM until 12 PM on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Saunders-Dwyer Funeral Home, New Bedford, Massachusetts, followed by his funeral service at 12 Noon.