MILFORD - Rev. Joseph E. James, of Milford, left his earthly home on Saturday, July 30, 2011, at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford. He was 81. Joe was born on Aug. 19, 1929, in Cambridge, Md., son of the late Wildai and Eva Allen Smith James. He attended public schools in Maryland and graduated from the University of Maryland in 1955. He continued his education at the General Seminary in New York City from where he graduated and became an Episcopal Priest. Rev. James served as pastor in Episcopal churches in Easton, Denton and Elkton, Maryland, Northwest Florida and Tennack, New Jersey before coming to Christ Church in Milford where he remained for twenty seven years before retiring from full time duties there. Joe took advantage of some leisure time after retirement and enjoyed traveling with his second wife, Agusta, whom he married in 1995, however, he soon returned to serve as a primary pastor of All Saints in Rehoboth and St. Georges in Angola and then St. John's in Milton and St. Mary's in Bridgeville. His kind and gentle nature and true compassion for his fellow man made him the perfect mentor to many state troopers as Chaplain to the Delaware State Police for thirty seven years. It was not unusual for him to drop by and visit at the troops on any given shift. He was a member and past treasurer of the Masonic Temple Lodge No. 9 A.F. & A.M. in Milford and served as the Grand Chaplain for the Grand Lodge of Masons in Delaware from 1989-90. In addition to his parents, Rev. James was preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret Newman James in 1993; his son, Joseph E. James, Jr.; three sisters, Geraldine Lindner, Eva Allen Lowry and Elizabeth Seward; and three brothers, Wildai James, Jr., Louis James and Edwin James. He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Agusta Lee "Gussie" James; two daughters, Deborah L. Staats of Dover, and Margaret J. Block of Harrington; two step-sons, A. Wayne Layfield and his wife Betty of Annapolis, Md., and Wallace G. Layfield of Dagsboro; six grandchildren, Jimmy Staats, Billy Staats, Mary Block, Ashley Brooke Harless, Victoria Erin Layfield and Michael Layfield; a special nephew, Doug James of Rehoboth; and several nieces. A Masonic Service will take place at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011, followed by a Memorial Service at 10 a.m. at the Christ Episcopal Church, 200 N. Church St., Milford. Recessional will include Delaware State Police honors. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions to Christ Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 191, Milford, DE 19963; or St. Mary's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 21, Bridgeville, DE 19933; or to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963. Condolences may be emailed to www.delmarvaobits.com/rogers Arrangements handled by Rogers Funeral Home, Milford.