James Edwin Gaines Jr., 87, of Lexington, died peacefully in his sleep on June 24, 2025. Born in Dalton, Georgia (Feb. 21, 1938), he grew up with a strong focus on his educational pursuits. Although his early age diagnosis of Gaucher’s Disease forced significant physical challenges, he did not allow his disabilities to alter his ambition or the quest for the life he envisioned. After graduating from Dalton High School (Dalton, Georgia) he attended Oxford College of Emory before transferring to Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he studied literature. After his undergraduate studies James taught high school English in Atlanta before furthering his academic pursuits at Florida State University where he earned a master’s degree and doctorate in library science. He joined a writing group with several college friends, calling themselves “the Oxford Group” expressing their fondness for written language through poetry and short stories. The Oxford Group compiled a collection of their short-stories and poetry in 2005 entitled “Seize the Decade,” in which James was a coauthor. The group has stayed in regular contact through the years, critiquing each other’s writing projects and are still active today. James found true joy in books and established a close partnership with reading at an early age. He was appreciated by his colleagues as a careful reader and no-nonsense critic. The man knew his way around a card catalogue and knew the proper use of the semicolon. James met his first wife, Sally, in Cincinnati, Ohio. They had three children, living in Birmingham, Alabama, and Tallahassee, Florida, before finally settling in Lexington, where he managed VMI’s Preston Library for nearly two decades. He married his second wife, Beth Hood, in 1991, both sharing an intense love of books and desire to make life easier for Lexington’s disabled community. The two remained married until Beth’s passing in 2016. His contributions to the community include over 25 years of service to the Lexington Kiwanis Club, Rockbridge County Democratic Committee, and his steadfast support for the Rockbridge Disability Services Board and Rockbridge Transportation Service (RATS). His forever generous heart and quick wit will be sorely missed. James is preceded in death by his wife, Beth Gaines, and his son, Thomas Gaines. He leaves behind a sister, Flora Kelley; daughter, Robin Gaines; son, Steven Gaines; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A private funeral will be held in late summer. Donations can be made in his name to the Rockbridge Area Transportation System or Rockbridge Area Relief Association (RARA).