James Louis Surface (“Jim”), age 85, died peacefully on July 23, 2026, in Lexington, where he resided at the Kendal at Lexington Life Plan Community.

Born in Roanoke on May 20, 1941, Jim was the son of Thomas James Surface and Elizabeth Abbott Surface. He was raised at the family home located at 1018 Wasena Ave., Roanoke. 

Jim had great childhood memories of attending movies with his father, enjoying local ice creams and spending time with his adoring mother. He was fascinated with Civil War history, was a reader of endless volumes on the subject, and held a special reverence for Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. He was interested in family lineage, and could trace his family history back to the early 1700s. 

Jim was a regular church goer, and involved himself in church choir and bible study groups from a young age and until his death. A life-long Democrat, he would tell fellow church goers who questioned him on politics that the philosophy of the Democratic Party most closely comported with his Christian values.

Jim graduated from JeffersonHigh School in Roanoke in 1959. Through an academic scholarship, Jim attended Washington and Lee University, from which he earned a bachelor's degree in history in 1963 and a legal degree in 1965. Jim was proud to be a graduate of W&L, and was a loyal and contributing alumnus throughout his life. 

It was in the summer of 1958 that Jim, while playing tennis at outdoor courts in Roanoke, met Judy Marcia Woodford. They fell in love and were married at the Bethany Christian Church in Roanoke on Aug. 11, 1962. 

A most memorable time in life occurred for Jim and Judy in the summer of 1963 when they ventured to the Grand Tetons in Wyoming as well as to work in Yellowstone National Park. They enjoyed adventures living in Wyoming such as hiking and exploring that provided memories to last a lifetime. 

Upon graduating from law school, Jim and Judy settled in Charleston, W.Va., where Jim started his legal and then banking trust officer career. In Charleston, Jim's beloved children Susanna Elizabeth (1966) and James Louis Jr. (1969) were born. He could not have been prouder of their achievements, as he dutifully supported his daughter's pursuit of cello and his son's sporting endeavors including basketball, baseball and BMX.

Moves in the banking industry followed to Louisville, Ky., to Richmond, Va., to Dyersburg, Tenn., and finally to Johnson City, Tenn., before his retirement in 2003.

In retirement Jim spent enjoyable time with Judy visiting their children and grandchildren, attending bible study and choir, on the board of the Friends of Music for East TennesseeState University, working for the food shelf at his church, playing bridge and traveling.  Jim had a great curiosity about the world and he loved to broaden his life experience by visiting different cultures and peoples. He and Judy frequently traveled abroad and within the United States and Canada, and his zest for such experiences never faded. 

In later years Jim was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. While this limited and then ended his travel, he continued to enthusiastically participate in the Kendal Singers, attending church and vespers, reading and playing bridge. In the last years of his life he most sincerely appreciated the visits of his children, grandchildren, family and friends, the more the better. 

Jim was predeceased by his wife Judy (2013), by his parents, and by his brother Shelburne Abbott Surface. 

He leaves behind his daughter Susanna S. Piller and son-in-law Jack Piller of Lexington; his son James, daughter-in-law Jennifer T. Surface, and grandchildren Julia B. Surface and J. Elliot Surface of Chattanooga, Tenn.; a brother-in-law, Cedric Brent Woodford (Barbara); a niece, Cherie Surface Absalom (David); and nephews Thomas Surface (Nancy) and Mark Surface (Tracy). 

Donations in lieu of flowers may kindly be directed to the Lexington Presbyterian Church and the Parkinson's Foundation. 

Private burial arrangements will be handled by Monte Vista Funeral Home, Johnson City, Tenn., and a memorial service at Kendal at Lexington will be held at a later date.