James Charles Traylor Jr

Eulogy for Dad

James Charles Traylor Jr. was born February 10, 1978 in San Leandro, California and raised in East Oakland California to parents Siesta Walker and James Charles Traylor Sr.

James was later blessed with his pops James Tillman or better known as Wiesel.

He attended Fremont Highschool and was a brother to LaWanda Franklin, Shalonda Tillman, Terrance Thurman, Jamie Traylor and many more.

At the age of 21 James fathered his oldest child Jaiy’zesna Malan’Unique Traylor and later his second oldest Somali Jazzmein Traylor. He began working at Hayward Chevrolet of Hayward in California where he was a great car salesman and negotiator. He had a passion for cars from watching his dad and uncles work on their vehicles throughout his childhood. With that and his love for entrepreneurship he could sell just about anything to anyone.

Around the age of 28 during James’ early years of parenting, he often took Jaiy’zesna to get hot dogs and frozen yogurt after picking her up from school. One day while on their routine Froyo stop he ran into a beautiful Samoan lady ordering a smoothie and gave her his number. Two weeks later after finally receiving a call back they began dating and in December 2006, they had their first child a beautiful baby girl Okelani Malia Jamie Traylor.

In the year of 2010, they finally had their first son James Charles Traylor III and in 2011 his second baby boy, Jayden James Traylor. In the year 2012 on May 14th, they got married and officially blended their family. He took on the role as a step-father to four more girls, Charity Pua Baasha, Diamond Agelu Baasha, Keziah Manna Baasha and Cae’E mone Baasha but was involved, present, and loved them as if they were his own.

In the year of 2015, James relocated from California and moved with his family to Grants Pass, Oregon. While in Oregon he continued using his passion for cars and entrepreneurship and opened his first Oregon office for his business “Buckets to Bentleys'' and made many friends in the process. He often enjoyed working on cars with his kids, sports, and playing chess with friends.

James made the decision to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was baptized in January of 2017. Although he lived in Oregon, he often traveled back to California to visit with his family and friends. He was the funniest father, son, brother, cousin, uncle and best friend. Throughout his adult life he struggled with health issues and his health began to decline.

The lord called him home April 24, 2022, and he left behind his wife and nine kids who he often referred to as “The Team”, along with his mother, pops, siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will all miss him very much.

Rest in Heaven, we love you.

A viewing will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., May 6, 2022 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center in Grants Pass.

A funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m., May 6, 2022 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center.