Paul James

Paul James, legendary TV, radio and Sports Broadcaster, passed away October 6th, 2018, at home surrounded by his family and friends and his beloved dogs.
Paul was born in Ogden, Utah, on July 17, 1931, to George Morris and Zina Jane Benson James. He was elected student body president of Ogden High, when it was the largest high school in Utah.  He was awarded a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Utah graduating with a degree in English.   Paul married Annette Greenwell, his high school sweetheart.  They were married for over 60 years until her passing May 17, 2011.  Paul and Annette had the grand privilege of visiting some of the most exotic and remote places on earth.  What stories they had to tell of their time spent in Tibet, Mongolia, Russia, New Guinea, Siberia and every country in Europe.  He had an exceptional gift of communicating with and making friends all over the world.
His professional career began in radio, then he moved to Channel 4 TV, where he and Bob Welti teamed up as the weatherman and sportscaster for the 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm newscasts.  Eventually KSL (Channel 5) lured Bob and Dad over to join newcomer Dick Nourse as the anchorman.  Together they formed the Nourse, Welti and James partnership which was the top-rated newscast for 24 years and became what is believed to be the longest tenured team in television history.  During his career he broadcast over 1,600 football and basketball games for BYU and the University of Utah.  In close to 50 years of broadcasting, he missed only one football game due to recovery from a six bypass heart surgery.  Paul was inducted into the Utah Broadcast Hall of Fame on May 18, 2000.  In 2005, he was honored and inducted into the BYU Athletics Hall of Fame.
Paul was truly a Renaissance man with exceptional gifts and talents in many areas. He painted beautiful water color paintings with only 8 hours of instructions, masterfully played the piano, was a Life Master bridge player, an artistic photographer and could recite hours of poetry and comical readings—complete with accents and dialects—all from memory. He successfully wrote and published a book “Cougar Tales.”  His awards, trophies, numerous commendations for broadcasting, golf, tennis, and bridge, are a testament to an active, full and rich life.  He was a perfectionist, not only in his profession, but in all that he did.  Anything he set his mind to, he could and did do with astonishing results.
Mom’s passing was devastating to dad.  He truly lost an angel and the “wind beneath his wings.”   During the last few years, as his health declined, he was determined to stay as active as possible and live in his beloved home with his two dogs: Mitzi and Niko. He considered his dogs miniature people who always slept on his bed (often on his head) and were eager to help him eat his dinner or anything else he was snacking on.
As his children, we did everything we could to make sure dad was able to stay in his beautiful home with his dogs and provide him with love, care, companionship and service.  He touched so many people during his life. Deepest heart-felt thanks to Marc Linton for his compassionate and patient 24-hour care during the last couple of months of dad’s life, and to Hospice of Utah—especially Tanya Damron, his beloved nurse and friend who had a special relationship with dad and stayed with him and our family during his final hours. They have become adopted members of our family.
Although dad was not deeply religious, he looked forward to reuniting with mom, his parents and in starting a new adventure full of learning and opportunities. We love, honor, admire, and cherish you Dad. Rest in peace and fly with the angels. Love your family.
Paul is survived by four children Susan (Chris) Cooper, Steve (Teri) James, Cindy James (Larry Payne), and Cheri (Scott) Stewart; 19 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; his sisters, Elaine Dickson (JB deceased), and Betty Jane (Richard) Thompson.  Paul was preceded in death by his wife Annette, his parents and grandson Michael Payne.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at Memorial Murray Mortuary, 5850 South 900 East, Murray, Utah. A viewing preceding the services will begin at 10:00 AM the same day.
Service Information
Viewing October 16, 2018 at 10:00 - 11:45 AM
Memorial Murray Mortuary, 5850 South 900 East, Murray, Utah





Funeral Service
October 16, 2018 at 12:00 PM
Memorial Murray Mortuary, 5850 South 900 East, Murray, Utah