James grew up in Mercer Island, a rural Seattle community at the time.  He attended the University of Washington, School of Architecture, graduating with honors in 1970.

He was employed variously in commercial construction until eventually forming his own construction/design firm located in Mercer Island Washington.  Several of his design creations were featured in local publications including the Mercer Island Reporter, the Bellevue Journal, and the Seattle Times.

He retired in 1995, and has pursued various activities including photography and writing for a local travel magazine called North Okanogan – an Online Magazine.  See: http://northokanogan.com/

His heart has always leaned towards creative writing, art and crafts, which he has produced variously including nature photography, and craftsman style furniture.

James presently resides in Yakima, Washington.