James Burkhart Jr. was born September 11th, 1950 in Natchez MS. to the late James Sr. and Dorothy Mae Burkhart. As a young child, he and his parents, along with his 4 sisters, relocated to Columbus, OH. as part of the great migration. He was a graduate of Mifflin HS in 1969 and went on to play college football for the University of Michigan. In 1977, he married his childhood love, Sherlyn Denise and together they had 3 children, Scott, Denisha and Todd. James was a longtime employee for Honda of America Mfg. from 1987 until is retirement in 2011. He and his wife then relocated in their retirement to the Tampa Bay FL. area where they would enjoy all their years of hard work and live a comfortable life. James sucommed to a long bout with kidney failure and heart disease on March 7th, 2024 in Pasco Co. FL. James was proceeded in death by his parents, James Sr. and Dorothy, and his sister Ruby Cobb. He is survived by his wife, Sherlyn, his children, Scott, Denisha and Todd (Jennifer), sisters Eva, Renee and Lena, his 13 grandchildren and 2 great- grandchildren and a host of family and friends.