James Nelson Jeffryes, 83, of Troy passed away Wednesday, July 26, 2017 in the Hospice Unit of Upper Valley Medical Center. He was born May 25, 1934 in Piqua to the late Nelson and Rose (Strohmeyer) Jeffryes.

James married Ruth Ann (Martin) Jeffryes on July 19, 1958 and they were married 59 years. Ruth survives along with two sons and daughters-in-law, Jai and Jan Jeffryes of New York, and Lee and Yuko Jeffryes of New Jersey.

James graduated from Piqua High School in 1952 and Bowling Green State University in 1956. He was the original band director for Miami East High School from 1957 to 1974 and composed the Miami East Fight Song. He was director of music at Covington Elementary School from 1975 until 1989.

James studied clarinet with Robert Marcellus, the eminent Principal Clarinetist of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra under the direction of George Szell. James was a teacher of clarinet himself throughout his career and played clarinet with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra for 30 years. He was a life long clarinetist with area community bands.

James traced his ancestry through his father, Nelson, to the Saponi Nation of Ohio, a native tribal population of the Ohio River Valley, for which he was proud to serve as chief for a number of years.

James was a member of St Johns United Church of Christ in Troy.

There will be a memorial service at a later date at St. Johns United Church of Christ with Rev. Donna Morton-Kaveloski officiating, and a reception at the Church will follow the memorial service. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Piqua. St. Johns United Church of Christ will be grateful to receive contributions in the memory of James.

The Fisher-Cheney Funeral Home in Troy is handling arrangements for James. The family may receive online condolences at www.fishercheneyfuneralhome.com.

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