James graduated from Deshler High School where he was both an All- Tri-Cities and All TVC quarterback in 1956. He was signed to a football scholarship by the University of Alabama in 1957 and was a member of the Tide when Coach Paul Bryant came to the University in 1958.

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He played quarterback and end at Alabama, lettering for two years. He was a member of Coach Bryant's Liberty Bowl team in 1959 and his first National Championship team in 1961.

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After graduation from Law School and admission to the bar in 1965, James served in the United States Army from 1965-1967. After his tour in the military he began practicing law in Tuscumbia and was the District Attorney in Colbert County for eighteen years.