Obituary of T. Edison James

T. Edison James, known to friends and colleagues as “Ed”, was born in Scranton, PA on February 27, 1920. He graduated with a BSM from Susquehanna University in 1947, majoring in piano organ and voice. A Master of Music Education was conferred by Pennsylvania State University in 1950. In 1970, Ed completed a program in Administration and Supervision at the University of South Florida. While serving in the U.S. Air Force at Cochran AFB in 1942, Ed trained pilots in Celestial Navigation (instrument flying). He also served as Base Chapel Organist and Choir Director, as well as playing in and directing the Base Orchestra. As a member assigned to Special Services, Ed directed a variety show which toured the State of Georgia promoting the sale of War Bonds. In 1944, Ed was transferred to the Air Transport command Dum Duma, India, in the China/Burma/India Theater. While there, he taught and certified pilots flying “The Hump” between India and China. Ed’s entry into the field of school music education began in a school system near Harrisburg, PA. Florida’s first exposure to Ed’s music influence came in 1953, when he accepted the musical directorship of the Wimauma High School band, now known as East Bay High School in Hillsborough County. In 1956, he became Instrumental Director at Brandon High School where he remained for 14 years. Under his direction, the program grew from 32 members to 200 members. While at Brandon High School, he was instrumental in beginning the first high school orchestral program in Hillsborough County. This group received both national and international acclaim. From this beginning, Hillsborough Country now has one of the largest string programs in the state. In 1970, he was appointed Supervisor of Elementary Music for Hillsborough County. During an 11 year period, the number of music teachers grew from 32 to 110. Ed was elected the first president of the Florida Music Supervisors Association. Ed was named Chairman of the Music Assessment Committee, which was formed to develop a catalog of objectives and assessments. The catalog was published by the State Department of Education and used by many states and colleges as a guide to develop their own assessment programs. After 25 years of teaching in high school and college and 11 years as Supervisor, Ed retired and began another career, still focused on providing support for the development and encouragement of quality music in the schools. In 1981, Ed and his wife Charlotte opened Florida Music Service, Inc. in Tampa. He had always felt there was a need for a source to provide professional assistance with advice and recommendations regarding instrumental literature for directors. Ed published Music for Concert Band: An Annotated Guide to Concert Band, by Joe Kreines, which has met with great success both in this country and internationally. Ed retired for a final time in 2002. Among his honors he was inducted into the Florida Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame in 1995 and in 2005 he became the first inductee into the Hillsborough County Band Director’s Hall of Fame. Ed is survived by his wife, Charlotte; two sons, Tom James and his wife, Mitzi and Dan Colestock and his wife, Laurie; three daughters, Dorothy Brana and her husband, Raul, Sheree Colestock-Lamm and her husband, Darrell, and Lori Fair and her husband, Pete; eleven grandchildren; six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Friday at Loyless Funeral Home. A scholarship fund has been established in memory of Ed James. Made checks payable to Wharton High School. T. Edison James Scholarship Fund Wharton High School ATTN: Jason Allgair 20150 Bruce B. Downs Blvd Tampa, FL 33647