James Upshaw, Jr.

James Upshaw, Jr. was born in Rutherford, Alabama to Mr. James Upshaw, Sr. and Mrs. Rosie Mae Upshaw.  He attended East Chicago Washington High School until he made the decision to enlist into the United States Marines in 1951 during the era of the Korean War.  After serving his tour of duty and retiring as Private First Class, he was hired as Postal Clerk at the East Chicago Postal Office, where he worked there for 38 years.  

While living in East Chicago, he met Yvonne Williams and was engaged in holy matrimony on May 27, 1958.  Their union was blessed with 3 children, Donna Karen, Phillip Arthur and Paul Andrew Upshaw.  A devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, and uncle to his family, he prided himself on ensuring that family and friends could count on him for anything.  If you needed something, they knew that “you can ALWAYS count on James Upshaw, Jr.!” 

James’s pastime enjoyment and passion was bowling, fishing, watching sports and sharing time with family in Alabama. In the late 60’s/early 70’s, the family made many trips down to the “Frog Pond”, where we spent time in the area where he grew up and shaped his heart and soul into the man we all knew and loved.  

On June 23, 2023, the Lord call his child home for everlasting comfort of mind, body and spirit peacefully in his sleep.  He was preceded in death by his parents, James Upshaw, Sr. and Rosie Mae Upshaw, wife Yvonne Upshaw, son Phillip Arthur Upshaw, Sr., 3 brothers Jimmy Lee Upshaw (Eddie Mae), Moses (Bessie) Upshaw and Abraham Cole (Leila) and sister Eugenia Fletcher (Douglas, Sr./Wardell Watkins).  He leaves to cherish his memory his children Donna Karen Upshaw (East Chicago), son Paul Andrew Upshaw, Sr. (Chicago), grandchildren C’Aira Upshaw (Gary), Phillip Arthur Upshaw, Jr. (Florida), Paul Andrew Upshaw, Jr. (Justice, IL) and James Anthony Upshaw (Joliet, IL), great-grandchild Christian Phillip Upshaw, and brother-in-law Dolfus Williams (Jannie) and a multitude of nieces and nephews.

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