James Christopher Raleigh

On September 28th 2022, the life of James Christopher Raleigh was taken during a tragic struggle to defend all that he loved. While the pain of this event will forever be sealed in the hearts of those that loved James, this letter is meant to celebrate and share in the memory that was James Raleigh’s life.

Born to Patrick and Johanna Raleigh on December 19th, 1947, James spent his childhood having Huck Finn-like adventures throughout the Carmichael area with his brother, John and close friends. From daring each other to see how high they could jump from the old Fair Oaks bridge into the American river to chasing and challenging bulls in the pastures near his home, there was no adventure that James wouldn’t partake and revel in. In high school, he met his sweetheart, whom he would later marry in Frankfort, Germany during his years of service in the United States Army. Upon returning to the United States, James and Nancy settled in the Carmichael community and had five children: Erin, Megan, Katherine, Brian, and Darren. While raising their family, James and Nancy made many sacrifices in order to prioritize their children’s education. James worked his way through numerous jobs and apprenticeships to become a successful and respected plumber for the State of California. He spent over thirty years as a plumber for the State, where countless friendships were made and strengthened.

James devoted his life to his wife and kids and through the passage of time would become a loving and doting grandfather to eight grandchildren: Madison, Marissa, Wyatt, Eva, Adilay, Owen, Greyson, and Caden. James’s love was endless and extended to all he met, whether that was on a plumbing job or a walk in Ancil Hoffman Park with his dog Sadie. This is no more apparent than with the immense outpouring of love and support from all his friends and neighbors, and the collective pain that we all feel with losing him. There’s a joke about James that states: after he did a job for you, you were like family to him. Long into his retirement years, James would be seen driving around in his work truck with Sadie Lady by his side going from one job to the next. He was always ready to help and never turned down a neighbor in need. He stood by his work and always made things right no matter what it took. Through his actions, James showed so many how take care of each other and his life will forever be memorialized in the community he built one friendship at a time.

Please join us to celebrate James’s life at Our Lady of Assumption church. Vigil and viewing October 15th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Mass October 16th from 4:00 to 5:00 pm with reception to follow. Private interment will be held at Calvary cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in James’s memory to Effie Yaw Nature Center.

The family would like to extend its gratitude for all the love and support shown by family, friends and the Carmichael community during this tragic time. We will be forever grateful to this beautiful community that he loved so much.