James S. Stanfield Jr.

James Sewell Stanfield, Jr., affectionately known as “Jimmy” or “Jim,” was born on May 16, 1958, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the second child of the late James Sewell Stanfield, Sr., and Ella Mae McCain-Stanfield.

In 1960, Jimmy and his family moved to Newburgh, New York, where he grew up and attended school. He graduated from Newburgh Free Academy (high school) in 1977.

From a young age, Jimmy was very inquisitive and had lots of energy. He loved the outdoors, going on all-day bike adventures, hiking, and camping. He also loved music, could often be heard tapping rhythms on tables and other objects, later taking up the bongos and drumming in elementary school, and joining the community’s drum corps, where he learned to play the trumpet and proudly participated in their marching band’s parade events.

His love for music also extended to the dance floor, where he became a whiz at doing “The Hustle” during the 1970’s disco era. He also had a gifted voice, an amazing falsetto pitch that could wow the room, especially when he took the mic during the family’s karaoke get-togethers.

As a young adult, Jimmy was employed at IBM and was lastly employed as a driver at Arnoff Moving & Storage, where his many years of dedicated service resulted in long-lasting friendships.

Jimmy’s spiritual journey began as a child. He attended Sunday School at Mt. Carmel Church in Newburgh, and later New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, where he accepted Christ and was baptized. He and a few of his friends later formed a male gospel singing group and ministered in song at church events in the area.

He later moved to Poughkeepsie, New York, where he bought a home and focused on raising his son. He also became a member of Beulah Baptist Church and joined the Men’s Choir as well as the Fine Gold Men’s Ministry. Beulah Baptist is also where he met the woman who would later become his bride, Janet Heard, whom he married in 2015. He was also a member of Nimrod Lodge #96 of the New York State Prince Hall Masonic Order.

Jimmy loved spending time with his family and friends, laughing, talking, and sharing stories. He was the best storyteller, always had one that would make you laugh. And he never met a toddler whose cheeks he could resist, especially when he became a grandfather and great-grandfather, or as they called him, “Pop-Pop.”

He was a constant presence in his grandchildren’s lives, often picking them up to spend quality time with them—taking them shopping, to the barbershop, special events, and he especially loved taking them with him to church. Love, faith, and family had been part of the Stanfield legacy that he wanted to pass on.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Sewell Stanfield, Sr., and Ella Mae McCain Stanfield; his brothers-in-law, Waymon Robinson, Sr., and Eric Haynes; his father-in-law, John Heard, Sr.; and one grandson, Jahlil Stanfield.

In his parting, Jimmy leaves to treasure his memory: his loving and devoted wife, Janet P. Heard-Stanfield; his son, James D. Stanfield; one grandson, Shajai Stanfield; one granddaughter, Jamyia Stanfield; one great-grandson, SynCére Stanfield; two great-granddaughters, SuRoya Stanfield and Sa’Kiyah Stanfield; one brother, Tony Standfield (Wanda); two sisters, Vicki Stanfield-Robinson-Haynes and Valerie Stanfield; his mother-in-law, Fannie Heard-McCollum; sister-in-law, Donna Plummer; brother-in-law, John Heard, Jr. (Meg); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, extended family, and dear friends.