James Dexter was born October 5, 1933, in Camden, Alabama.  Known by most as J.W., Jay or Dexter, he was the youngest of three children, born to Burlee and Eula Dexter.  He departed this life June 18, 2026, at the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky, Ohio.  During cherished talks with his loved ones, James accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and we thank and praise God.

James served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Airforce where he received honorable discharges. He shared many stories about his military service, such as going to flight school, learning to pack his own parachute, and jumping out of airplanes. He was employed by Ford Motor Company, Baker Material Handling Co. (acquired by Otis Elevator Co.) and retired from employment with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District as a school bus driver.

James experienced many joys in his life.  He loved his family and enjoyed daily phone conversations with family members and close friends.  In his younger days, he was an avid runner, running daily with groups of friends and completed several marathons.  He also played chess, bid whist, sudoku, watched animal and nature television programs, and stayed informed through local and national news.  But most of all, he was a die-hard sports fan, especially the Cleveland Browns.

James is preceded in death by his parents, Eula and Burlee Dexter, his son Keith Marshall, his brother Louis Dexter, brother-in-law Billie Barnes, long-time childhood friends Mitchell (Loretta) Nichols and Ronald (Ernestine) Reed. James leaves to mourn his beloved wife, Evelyn Dexter, daughters Karen Marshall, Kynee (Hernan) Cortes; grandchildren Keith (Angela) Berry, Danielle Berry, Eva, Maria, Kara and James Cortes; great grandchildren Jazmyn, Keith and Cameron Berry, Adrian and Destiny Sadler; his sister Lillie Barnes; his brother-in-law George (Juanita) Marshall, nieces and nephews, Patricia (James) Smith, Annette Barnes-Anderson, William (Ledell) Barnes, Debra Edmunds, Gayle Marshall, Rosalind (Kevin) Perry, John (Toni) Marshall III; McNair, Dexter, Thompson and Mixon relatives and a host of many other family and friends.