Adam Joshua James

Adam Joshua James, 45; of Long Beach, California, formerly of Chicago and Hobart, Indiana; passed away suddenly on December 3, 2024. Born in Valparaiso, Indiana, Adam graduated from Hobart High School and Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, where he was a Pi Kappa Alpha and earned his degree in Computer Information Systems, Business Process Management, and Operations Management. Adam held many other certifications, including that of Ethical Hacker. Adam was the devoted and loving father ("DaDa") of Maya Beatrix James ("Maya Mouse", age 9) and Tala Rey James ("Tala Bootsie", age 6) whom he adored more than anything in the world. He loved rock climbing with them, watching them play sports like gymnastics and baseball, and building lots of Disney LEGO sets. For the last decade, Adam was Senior Technical Project Manager with Akamai Technologies in Santa Monica. Previously he was at Accenture (2005-09) and served as Assistant VP at Liquidpoint (2009-14). In 2008, Adam attended the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago. Although he never used his culinary degree professionally, he was an excellent home chef. Adam was an incredibly intelligent and analytical person. He could talk to anyone and everyone about everything from sports to music to politics to movies. He had a way with words-- he was inspired by his favorite MCs and rappers and spent hours and hours listening to Tupac and Nas while delivering pizzas in high school and college. Besides being a "professional computer nerd" (his own words), Adam had over a decade of experience managing fantasy football, baseball, and basketball teams. He was a certified master scuba-diver and completed marathons in Chicago, Long Beach, and the Philippines, where he also hiked two days to receive a tattoo from the renowned Apo Whang-Od. Adam loved to travel - starting with road trips with his family as a kid to flying around the globe with his wife and kids. He visited all fifty states and made 30+ visits to Disneyworld, Disneyland, and Disney HK! Besides North America, he was all over Southeast Asia and visited Australia and Europe. Adam is also survived by his wife of thirteen years, Eugenie "Ginny" Marie James (nee Balinghasay) of Long Beach, formerly Manila, Philippines. He was the cherished son of Zagorka Milich James; dear brother of Mike (Gayle) James and Cristina “Pha” James of Hobart, Indiana; uncle of Bobby, Taylor, Emma Therese, and Lyla Rue; step-uncle of Stephanie and Morgan. Adam was also the adored grandson of his “Baba” Draga Milich; nephew of Andy (Marianne), Mike, Marko (Julie), and Nick (Teresa) Milich; cousin of Dena, Megan, Iliana, Graham, Isabel, and Nathan. He also leaves behind numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins, kumovi, and dear, caring friends and colleagues. Preceded in death by father Allen Douglas James, infant niece Ally Cristina, grandmother Doris Grey James, and grandfather Nikola Milich. The family has chosen private cremation. A mid-day celebration of Adam's life is being held in Chicago on Monday, December 30, at Park & Field (Lounge area), 3509 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647. Doors open 11am, eulogies begin 12noon. A church service is also being planned for January in Indiana. Please check back to this website for details. Please also take a moment to share a memory of Adam using this link: https://bit.ly/MemoryofAdam In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his daughters: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-adam-a-fund-for-his-children or through their college fund at https://www.ugift529.com/. Maya's Ugift code: 32K-48L Tala's Ugift code: T67-76P Arrangements by Inclusive Funeral Care, 773-370-2959 or www.InclusiveFuneralCare.com.

Adam Joshua James

October 2, 1979 - December 3, 2024