James was born on October 17, 1981, in Birmingham, AL. He accepted Christ at an early age and attended First Baptist Church in Eastlake and The Guiding Light Church. While living in Kentucky, he attended St. Stephen Church. He attended McElwain Elementary and The Altamont School. In 1995, the family moved to Tallahassee, Florida where he continued his education attending Maclay School. In 1996, the family moved to Louisville, Kentucky and he continued his education attending Cosby Middle and graduated from Male High School. He enjoyed playing many sports, however James was most accomplished running track. During his time at Male High School James was a National Champion at 800-meters, KHSAA State Track and Field Champion, KHSAA State Record Holder, High School Track and Field All-American. James' high school accomplishments gave him the opportunity to receive a full athletic scholarship to run track at the University of Kentucky where he was a two-time All American, All SEC middle distance runner, and broke the team's 800-meter record during his time on the team. In 2018 James was named to the KTCCCA Athletics Hall of Fame. James graduated with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville. He worked as an Independent Distributor with Mike-Sells Snack Foods for six (6) years. To know James was to love James. He was full of joy, personable, giving, and loving. He was known for his gift of running, his big smile and infectious laugh. Enjoying 40 years of life, James descended on Sunday May 15, 2022, as the result of a fatal car accident in Louisville Kentucky. He leaves to celebrate his life and memory, his parents, Sidney and Kathryn Doaty; brother, Conrad Spencer (Elizabeth) Doaty; nephew, RaJah Kahn Doaty; grandparents, Ermer Gray and Bertha (Doaty) Stephens; aunts, Kristi Gayle (Michael) Lowery, Constance Stephens, Jacquelyn Washington, Delilah (Billy) Watson, and Dr. Judy Washington (Leroy) Williams, (Summit, NJ); and a host of cousins, grand aunts, grand uncles and friends.