James Lew, also known as Jimmy, was born on April 28, 1949 in Toisan, China. He grew up with his mom and grandmother in Hong Kong and then emigrated to the US to Sacramento, CA in 1956 when he was 7 years old. He finally was reunited with his father at age 7, for his father had come to the US earlier when the Chinese Exclusion Act was still in effect separating husbands from their wives. After being re-united, his parents continued to grow the family with James's sisters: Marilynn and Caroline; and a little brother: Eugene. 

James went to Crocker Riverside Elementary and then to California Middle School in the Land Park area. He then went to Hiram Johnson High School. After high school, James enlisted in the Army in 1968. He had learned that he could choose his own destiny in the military instead of letting someone choose it for him if drafted. Leaving his parents and siblings behind was considered an act of defiance that created a split in the relationship with his parents that would take years to heal. But, he entered the Vietnam War era conflict at 18 years old. After basic training, he served his time stationed in Germany from 1970-1972 working in the field of communications and electronics. In these years, James learned skills to help him in his future career and gained the confidence, experience, responsibility, and discipline in doing so. After the Army, James then attended Sacramento City College and Sacramento State for his education.

During this time, he met the love of his life through his uncle by writing letters to Cecilia, who was in Hong Kong. After two years of writing letters and then seeing her in person, they married on December 26, 1972. Cecilia and James were married for over 53 years. Together they raised three children: Raymond, Jason, and Jennifer. All of whom would eventually marry, and raise four lovely grand children: Vera, Ryker, Kai, and AJ.

James started working for the Southern Pacific Railroad (SP) at the Sacramento Railyards as a signalman in 1974. He specialized in making signal lights and crossing signals for the railroad. Later on he went to work for Sac RT Light Rail which was just coming online in 1987. SP was downsizing and this was a fresh start at something new. He worked at the Marconi Maintenance Yard and continued building crossing signals for Sac RT. After Sac RT was built out and operational, his skills were transitioned to electrical work, maintenance, inspections, and emergency response.

As a skilled lead worker, James represented Sac RT at several national events called Raildeo, aka Rail Roadeo. This was a competition for rail transit workers to compete using their skills in solving complex problems with electronic control devices. His wife Cecilia loved going to these national events with him in Boston, Denver, St. Louis, and Toronto.

James retired from Sac RT in 2004. With more free time, Cecilia kept him busy around the house until she retired in 2008. Together they volunteered in community organizations like the Sacramento Chinese Culture Foundation, Sacramento Chinese Sportsman's Club, CNYCA, VFW, and APAPA. They also spent time traveling to different parts of Asia, Europe, and South America.

Throughout his life, James enjoyed camping and fishing, which he shared with his family and friends. From the humble camping trips at Lake Oroville to joining the RV camping club at the Elks Lodge, or from fishing the quiet coves at Lake Natoma and Folsom Lake to grand Alaskan fishing trips, James shared many great memories with family and friends. James was also a past-president of the Sacramento Chinese Sportsman's Club (his favorite fishing club) in 2008. When at home, James would use the Internet to find out which days would be calm on the ocean to catch rockfish or check the tides to fish the local waterways.

James will be remembered for his friendship and generosity with the community and for his love and sacrifices for his family and country.