On Monday, August 1, 1967, a true warrior was born, James Tyree Washington III. I was the only child born to James Tyree Washington, Jr.and Barbara Jean Washington. I was their pride and joy.
I attended Chollas Mead Elementary School, Gompers Jr. High, and graduated from Lincoln High in 1985. While attending Lincoln, my best friends were Harry, Chris, and Ayinde. During my formative years I enjoyed playing baseball for Oak Park and football for Valencia Park, but the thing I loved to do the most was spending time with my family.
I was baptized by Pastor Doctor C. Johnson at our family church, Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. At Mount Zion, I was busy singing in the choir and making friends. I was also a part of the Mt. Zion Youth Usher Board and the Jr. Brotherhood. As a child, I really loved to travel with Brother Hawthorn and Sister Hawthorn. Some of my greatest years were spent at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
I was known for going out of my way to make others happy. This was a part of my job at Roosevelt Jr. High School as a supervision and teachers assistant. I was loved by the students as well as the staff members. I also enjoyed writing; I always wrote letters to my mom and my grandmother Zephyr. That was one of the special ways I communicated with my two favorite ladies. My birth name is James, but I had several names as I grew older. I was known as little James, JT, and affectionately known as JJ. My street name was Green Eyes.
I was a true sports lover; I enjoyed baseball, but football was my favorite. I truly enjoyed Super Bowl Sunday, and I enjoyed going to my Uncle Carl’s house to celebrate with him and his boys. Football and basketball playoffs gave us a reason to celebrate.
On February 15, 2024, I was called home to be with the Lord.
I was preceded in death by my father James Washington, Jr., my maternal grandparents; Leonard and Zephyr LaGrone, Sr., and my paternal grandparents; James Washington Sr. and Roxiceola Cotton.
I leave behind to mourn my passing my beautiful mom Barbara Jean Washington of San Diego, California, my three children; Kellen James Washington of Portland, Oregon, Shawnie Payton of San Diego, California, and Anthony Jackson of Los Angeles, California, and many uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.
