James Jackson Stallings, 55, beloved husband, father, son, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on July 24, 2026, at the University of Utah. He was a 20-year resident of Green River and a former resident of Nampa, Idaho, and Seattle, Washington.
James was born on January 8, 1971, in Starkville, Mississippi, to Carolyn Jean Mason and Charles Henry Stallings. He was born in one of the rare snowstorms pounding down in Mississippi, but that didn’t stop his grandmother from coming to see the birth of her first grandchild. James had reminisced about his childhood in Mississippi, the rocking of the trailer they lived in during a tornado, catching fireflies and painting them on their bike tires so they could ride at night, swimming in the ponds and rivers that ran through Mississippi, and visiting his grandparents’ homes.
James moved from Mississippi to Washington at a young age with his mom and younger sister; Cathi. His father joined shortly after. He attended Sultan High School, where he eventually graduated with his GED in 1986. During his youth, he was found playing baseball or football, lifting weights, and getting into various shenanigans with his best friends turned brothers for life. He was also the youngest firefighter in the state when he joined the Index Fire Department at fifteen. James then found his career passion by following in his father’s footsteps: fixing garage doors, a path that carried him through multiple life changes and states.
On November 20, 1999, at midnight, James married the love of his life, Leslie Anne Stallings (Caldwell). By candlelight, James and Leslie traded vows and promises while James held his daughter, Saja. Family and friends stayed by their side and celebrated the happy union between them. James and Leslie would have celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary this year.
When not at work, James was often outside exploring the wilderness, jeeping with his friends and family, at the river with his dogs, watching Marvel and DC, or reading various Stephen King and western novels. He was always a helping hand to others by joining in rescue missions morning, noon, and night. He was ecstatic when he was able to earn some of the Moab badges after completing the trails. He often answered his daughter’s calls when she asked about certain sounds her vehicle was making, or making sure that animals that were snuck into the house were set up for success. He enjoyed when all of his girls visited the house and spent the night, even if he had to step over their sleeping bodies in the living room. James also had taken pride in becoming a union steward, making sure everyone was supported fairly and always fought for his union brothers and sisters.
Survivors include his wife, Leslie Stallings (Caldwell) of Green River; daughter Saja Stallings of Lakewood, Colorado; bonus daughter Samantha Meadows and husband Matthew of Green River; bonus granddaughters Emmalyn and Juliet Meadows of Green River; bonus daughter Katelynn Beckermann and partner Adam of Rock Springs; sister Cathi Martin of Starkville, Mississippi; brother Shane and wife Terri Simmons of Snohomish, Washington; brother Cody Sandy of Index, Washington; brother Andrew Hebener of Libby, Montana; brother Gary “Dusty” Cruz and wife Holly of Pheonix. Arizona; mother Carolyn Case of San Tan Valley, Arizona; grandmother Marilyn Jackson of Starkville, Mississippi; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father, Charles Stallings; brother Michael Sandy; uncles Ed Jackson, Pat Jackson, and Mark Jackson; grandparents; and various dogs and animals he has loved and taken care of over the years. We know he is elated to meet them again over the rainbow bridge.
Cremation has taken place; a celebration of life will be conducted from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, August 22, 2026 at County Park in Jamestown, Wyoming. In place of flowers, please donate to Southwest Counseling Service to help others who struggle with alcohol and mental health.
