OBITUARY
James Lee Fuller, affectionately known as “Jimmy” and “Jones,” departed this life on April 7, 2026, at Dameron Hospital in Stockton, California, just days before his 77th birthday. He was 76 years old.
James was born on April 13, 1949, in Fort Worth, Texas, to James Fuller and Unita Fuller-Jones, both of whom preceded him in death. He was the grandson of Cardell and Lola Fuller of Troup, Texas. At a young age, his family relocated to Fresno, California. His early years were shaped between Fort Worth, Texas, and Fresno, California, where he attended schools in the Fresno Unified School District and later graduated from Edison High School. Shortly after high school, James was drafted into the United States Army. Upon returning, he began building what would become a life defined by hard work, responsibility, and unwavering dedication to family. In 1970, he was united in matrimony to the love of his life, Lorita Fuller, his loving companion and best friend. In search of a new beginning, they decided to relocate from Tulare, California, to Stockton, California.
In 1971, he began his career at San Joaquin Delta College in the maintenance department. What started as a role cleaning classrooms and maintaining campus grounds grew into a remarkable 38-year career. Through diligence and commitment, he rose to become Director of the Maintenance Department before retiring. During his tenure as Director, James made a lasting impact by hiring and mentoring young men in the community, offering many a second chance and an opportunity to provide for their families.
A man of vision and determination, James became a homeowner in his early twenties through a first-time home-buyer program, purchasing land and building his home from the ground up. This achievement reflected his deep belief in responsibility, ownership, and legacy.
James was a man with a strong work ethic. In addition to his full-time career at Delta College, he worked evenings with The Henry Jones Custodial Services, where he cleaned the floors of local grocery stores and the downtown Stockton Car Dealerships. He also spent nearly 30 years driving charter buses on weekends—a role he came to love after transporting athletic teams to their sports games during his time at Delta College.
Beyond his work ethic, James had a passion for working with his hands. He loved cars—from performing simple oil changes to rebuilding engines and restoring classic vehicles. He took great pride in his classic Chevrolets, including his beloved 1959 white Chevy with red leather seats and his black Caprice Classic. He also enjoyed building model cars, maintaining his yard, and creating a space his family could gather and enjoy.
Family was the center of James’ life. He found great joy in family gatherings, holiday dinners, and simply being surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He loved to rent RVs and take his family on summer vacations to places such as Portland, Oregon; Yosemite National Park; Las Vegas; and the beaches of Southern California, where he would park the RV and his wife Lorita would make home-cooked meals on the beach instead of stopping for fast food. Can you imagine her frying pork chops for dinner on the beach? He was known for firing up the grill for family gatherings and serving his famous ribs. He loved when his siblings, nieces and nephews visited, as it gave him the opportunity to step into his role as the “big brother” of the family, offering wisdom. He also enjoyed music from the Motown era, often listening to artists such as James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Luther Ingram, and Smokey Robinson. There were many nights he and his wife, Lorita, would drive around Stockton, cruising and taking in the city lights. In quieter moments, he could be found watching classic sitcoms like The Jeffersons and Sanford and Son, with Esther as one of his favorite characters.
James had a strong, quiet presence. He was hardworking, serious, disciplined, and deeplycommitted to those he loved. He believed in family unity and carried a no-nonsense approach to life. His words, often direct and memorable, reflected both his humor and his expectations: “Handle your business,” “You’ve got more excuses than a dog has fleas,” and “Your head is as hard as the horns of a Billy goat.” Beneath his stern exterior was a man who loved deeply and showed it through provision, protection, and presence.
Though not formally affiliated with a specific church, James faithfully served his community and local congregations in quiet but meaningful ways—helping set up events and offering resources without expecting anything in return. He would often provide rental tables and chairs from Delta College for church events and annual church picnics without charging the church a fee. His favorite televangelist was Dr. Fredrick K.C. Price, whom he listened to faithfully for many years on Sunday mornings.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Lorita Fuller; and several siblings. He leaves to cherish his memory: his children, Brian Torrance (São Paulo, Brazil), Derrick Timmons (Tulare, CA), Desiree Timmons (Tulare, CA), James Lee Fuller, Jr. (Louisiana), Rosalynd Divinity (Los Angeles, CA), Tamala Moore (Stockton, CA), and Sherril Fuller (Stockton, CA); fourteen grandchildren: Shaylynn Garza, Michael Garza, Jr., Lyric Wise, Dontae Torrance, Vetronique Timmons, Derrick Timmons Jr., Moses Timmons, Shantell Timmons, Jacob Timmons, Armanhi Timmons, Isaiah Timmons, Leland Williams, Aiyana Williams, and Ja’vonte Ellington; six great-grandchildren: Janiiah king, Joshua king, Nehemiah Douangmala, Cha’Nya Timmons, Laniya Ellington and Zakhia Williams; his siblings, Ladell Williams (Fresno, CA), Frank Jones, Jr. (Fresno, CA), Cantrell Jones (Seattle, WA), Diane Johnson, and Beverly Gail Jones-Hudson (Sacramento, CA); along with a host of great- grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.
James will be remembered as a man who believed in responsibility, kept his word, and taughtthose around him to do the same. His legacy lives on in the lives he shaped, the family he built, and the values he instilled.
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Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Fuller family.