07/30/2026
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As many of you already know, James was involved in a motor vehicle accident Monday evening on I-10 between Bonifay and Caryville. James was conscious when the amazing first responders arrived, but he had to be extricated from his vehicle. He was flown as a trauma alert by Walton Air Rescue to Ascension Sacred Heart Bay Hospital. He remained awake throughout the flight and upon his arrival at the hospital.
James suffered a laceration to his head that required staples, as well as major fractures to his left hand, left arm, left tibia, and left knee. By the grace of God, James did not suffer any bleeding in his brain or abdomen. Due to the extent of his injuries and the need for surgery, he was sedated and intubated in the emergency room. He has already undergone one emergency surgery to repair vascular damage in his left leg and stabilize his fractures.
James remains sedated and on a ventilator so his body can rest. He is currently in surgery today, Thursday, July 30th, to repair and reconstruct his fractures, and the procedure is expected to take most of the day. We are hopeful that after surgery, when medically appropriate, he can be extubated and begin the road back to being the loving and caring James we all know and love. We also want to express our deepest gratitude to the first responders, flight crew, nurses, physicians, surgeons, and every member of the medical teams who have cared for James, from the scene of the accident through his treatment in the ICU. Their skill, compassion, and dedication have meant more to our family than words can express.
The outpouring of support since word spread about his accident has been overwhelming. We cannot thank you all enough for the prayers, kind words, and support you have given us. We have received many messages asking, βHow can I help?β and, βIs there anything you need?β Right now, the two things we need most are prayer and words of encouragement.
We specifically ask that you pray for Jamesβs surgery today to continue smoothly and successfully, for his kidney function to remain strong, for his blood sugar to stay under control, and for him to remain free from infection throughout his recovery. Please also pray for continued healing and strength for James, as well as wisdom and guidance for the medical team caring for him. We also ask for safety as we continue to commute to and from Panama City.
Jamesβs medical condition, sarcoidosis, may make his recovery more difficult, but as we all know, he is a fighter. One of the things that helped keep him going during his hospital stays in 2023 was the love and encouragement he received from all of you. Because of that, we have set up a voicemail box where you can call and leave words of encouragement, support, and prayer for James. We plan to play these messages for him once he is taken off sedation and extubated. You may also text the number or send an email using the information below.
Call or text: (227) 20-JAMES (52637)
Email: [email protected]
To us, James is a devoted husband, an incredible father, and one of the most caring, loving, and selfless people you could ever know. He has spent his life helping others, comforting people during their hardest moments, and giving strength to everyone around him. James has always been a fighter and we know he is fighting now with everything he has. We are beyond grateful for every prayer, message, and expression of love being sent to James and our family.
β Janet, Tabatha, & Genevieve