Richard D. "Dick" James, 81, of Canandaigua, died at his home on May 3, 2026.

Dick grew up in Holcomb, NY. He was a 1963 graduate of Bloomfield Central School where he played varsity basketball and was active in the FFA. He also attended Alfred State College.

It took Dick a while to find his vocation. While in high school he started working on farms. He worked days as assistant manager at a grocery store and tended bar nights. Later he worked at a veterinary hospital and as a dairy cattle artificial inseminator. He became involved in working with Registered Holstein cattle, as a cattle fitter and showman, a herdsman, and a professional cattle photographer. He once rode a freight train to California in a boxcar with a load of show cattle. He was proud to have been the co-owner of a two-time All-American bull.

The majority of his career was spent working as a building and remodeling contractor and custom cabinet and furniture maker. Dick was a craftsman who took great pride in doing excellent work. He taught himself most of the skills of the trade, by observing and doing, and willingly shared his techniques and knowledge with like-minded others.

Dick enjoyed a series of different hobbies over the years, as evidenced by the collection of equipment in the house basement. He was a league bowler and golfer, a hunter and a fisherman, and tried snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. He liked to barbecue and enjoyed sharing his smoked meats with others. He liked classic country music and tried to learn to play the steel guitar that he made. He enjoyed watching professional rodeos, especially the timed events. His inner cowboy was expressed when he wore his cowboy boots and hats and belt buckle and practiced roping a dummy steer.

Married almost 52 years, Dick and his wife Kay enjoyed many adventures together, including a hot air balloon ride that took off from their back yard and came down in Canandaigua Lake. They liked taking long road trips, attending numerous country music concerts and a few rodeos, and visiting friends and family members along the way. They attended a practice round at the 1992 Masters Golf Tournament. After retirement, they traveled to and toured Scotland, and later took two country music themed cruises, one to Alaska and one to the Caribbean.

Dick was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Elsie (Holtz) James. He is survived by his wife Kay, his brother Bob (Debby) James, his sister Karen (Rob) Francis, nieces and nephews. The people who knew him best loved him the most.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 16 at 11:00 AM at Crosswinds Wesleyan Church, 3360 Middle Cheshire Rd., Canandaigua, NY. Calling hours will precede the service, beginning at 10:00 AM.

To share a memory or express condolences online, please visit www.fullerfh.com