James Alex Livingston, Sr.

James Alex Livingston, Sr., known to many as “Julio” was born on July 31, 1948, the son of the late Sam and Addie Lee Brice Livingston of Norton, Virginia. He departed this life to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 20, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio after a brief illness.

Born in Stonega, Virginia as one of eight children, James joined the U.S. Army on May 1, 1967. After tours in Vietnam and Germany, he earned several service medals including the National Defense Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Overseas Service Bar which began his pride for those serving in the military. Earning the rank of Specialist 5, he was honorably discharged on April 24, 1970. After coming back stateside, he lived in Alexandria, Virginia serving as a supervising photographer for the Alexandria Gazette and a supervisor at Seven Eleven. He attended John I. Burton High School in Norton, Virginia. Valuing education, he attended Northern Virginia Community College and instilled his love of education as ALL the Livingston children pursued and completed Master’s Degrees.

He was baptized as a member of the Emmanuel Church of Jesus Christ in Norton, Virginia and supported many church activities in the Bethel District Association. He attended Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Glendale with his family until his health failed.

After marriage to Carolyn Ann Deberry, the family established roots in Johnson City, Tennessee, becoming a part of the close-knit Carnegie family for more than 40 years before moving to Cincinnati, Ohio. While in Johnson City, he worked as a supervisor at the American Water Heater Company, Magnavox and Bosch Braking Systems (the Budd Company) retiring as a machinist and computer technician.

He was a Shriner and a proud 33rd degree Mason as a member of the Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 PHA and Kadesia Temple No. 135 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

James was a gentle spirit who loved life, his family, fishing, hunting, his beloved Washington Redskins, listening to down-home blues, and the sounds of Motown. He was a caregiver for several friends and family members over the years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Addie Livingston; three brothers, Johnie Lee Livingston, Richard Eugene “Genie” Livingston and Charles Edward “Chuck” Livingston, Sr.; and two sisters, Pearl Barnes and Shirley Noaks of Norton, Virginia.

Surviving his passing are his wife of 48 years, Carolyn Livingston; one brother, Samuel Livingston, Jr. of Fayetteville, NC and one sister, Mary Ellis of Fairfield, OH. He leaves to cherish his memory, three children, daughter, Tiffaney Journee’ Livingston Hardy, son, James Alex Livingston, Jr. and daughter-in-love, Tonya Livingston and son, Aric Jamar Livingston; one special grandson, James Alfred Hardy, III and two granddaughters, Ti-a Wright and Addie Lee Jean Hart, all of Cincinnati, OH; as well as a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends. James had a special guardian angel, Jackson Cooper May who donated the gift of a precious kidney, preceded him in death on August 15, 2011. Special thanks to Nurse Belinda and the staff of Premier Estates at Three Rivers, as well as Bella Care Hospice in Cincinnati.

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