James Robert Foree' "Big Bird" of Corona-Norco California ,59, passed away on September 7 ^th surrounded by his family in Globe, Arizona.

Born March 9 ^th , 1960 in Jacksonville Florida to Ralph and Barbara Foree'. James was the baby of the family.

Grew up never having an enemy and always on the go. While in high school in Thatcher Arizona James went to the Jr Olympics for wrestling. He also earned the nickname Big Bird from Jim Henson himself after seeing him at a wrestling match. After graduation James went to the US Navy where he joined the Seabees and learned to operate heavy equipment and became a crane operator. He was stationed in Spain for a short time where he ran with the bulls. After spending 7 years in the Navy he got out and lived in San Diego for a short time and then moving to different states to work at various mines and construction sites in Arizona, Texas, and West Virginia.

In 1986 he finally settled down in Corona-Norco California with his daughter Heather where he lived until earlier this year. In 1988 he began his remarkable coaching career touching the lives of so many. Making lasting impressions on every person he met. James was not only a coach but an educator. Teaching everyone life lessons. Expecting nothing in return.

Shortly after being inducted into the Norco High School Hall of Fame for basketball, James decided to take a break from coaching,

James is survived by his daughter Heather Like (Charlie) and grandkids Paige, Avery, and Logan.

His dad Ralph C Foree' Sr. and Sister Franlyn Barbee (Ron) and 16 nieces and nephews, hundreds of aunts, uncles, cousins, and thousands of friends that he called family, expanding from the West Coast to East Coast.

He is preceded in death by his mom, Barbara Murphy Foree' and big brother Ralph C Foree' Jr (Chuck)

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

"If a person could get a feather for every life, they touched…… Bird would have the grandest set of wings"