Neal Shannon James Jr. was born on August 10, 1963 in the Fort Logan Hospital in Stanford, Lincoln County, Kentucky. He is the son of Nancy Poynter James and the late Neal Shannon James Sr. (His father died at the age of 39, on April 14, 1963 4 months before his birth). He joined three brothers and three sisters.
Neal James became famous and known as “The Banjo Man” and received National notoriety as a friend of “The Turtle Man”. They were on a reality show “The Call of the Wildman”, that aired for four seasons. He was the right-hand man of Ernie James Jr(The Turtleman). He has been essential to Turtleman with solving critter problems for people everywhere.
Neal James was also active in his community. He loved helping people such as working at the Isiah House in Willisburg, Washington County, Kentucky. Were he worked with people that are recovering for addiction.
Neal was born and raised in Kentucky. He was an exceptional banjo player as well as a bluegrass fan.
We are all deeply saddened by his death. He was suffering from cardiac problems which lead to his death on February 1, 2019. He died in Washington County, Kentucky at the age of 55. He is survived by his loving wife, two sons, two daughters, two sisters, and nine grandchildren. He leaves behind his family and friends which are left to morn this great loss.
Obituary from Spurlin Funeral Home
Neal "Banjo Man" Shannon James II August 10, 1963 ~ February 1, 2019 (age 55)
Neal “Banjo Man” Shannon James II, 55, of Stanford, KY passed away on Friday, February 1, 2019 in Willisburg, KY. Born August 10, 1963 in Stanford, KY to the late Neal James and Nancy Poynter James. Neal was a graduate of Lincoln County High School, a former employee of ATR Inc., and a member of Willow Grove Baptist Church. He was a Kentucky Colonel and was a songwriter/musician that led him to become a member of BMI, the largest music rights group in the United States. He co-starred on “Call of the Wildman” with Ernie Brown Jr., also known as, “Turtleman”; which aired for four seasons on Animal Planet, making him a local and national celebrity. His down to earth and easy going personality made him a fan favorite. Because of Neal’s kind heart and love of serving the Lord, he volunteered a lot of his time mentoring and helping at Isaiah House in Willisburg, KY. His favorite saying was, “Jesus Rocks”! Survivors include his wife, Rosemary James; two sons, Kenny James (Brooke) of Virginia, Ronnie Isaacs II (Stephanie) of Irvin, KY; two daughters, Sara McBride (Adam) of Harrodsburg, KY, Victoria Miller (Justin) of Stanford, KY; two sisters, Carol Bell of Stanford, KY, Janice Tillett (Ron) of Stanford, KY; nine grandchildren, Josie Luttman, Chloe Miller, Isabella Miller, Justin Luttman, Leyna McBride, Joshua McBride, Elizabeth McBride, Benjamin James, and Jacob James. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, Donald Lee James; a granddaughter, Laura Shannon James; one niece, Tami Owens; and a special brother-in-law, Joe Bell. Visitation will be Monday, February 4, 2019 at Lincoln County High School Stuart Underwood Auditorium from 5-9pm. A private funeral service and interment will be held at a later date. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be given or mailed to Spurlin Funeral Home (411 W. Main Street, Stanford, KY 40484) as donations to help the family with funeral expenses.
Neal James became famous and known as “The Banjo Man” and received National notoriety as a friend of “The Turtle Man”. They were on a reality show “The Call of the Wildman”, that aired for four seasons. He was the right-hand man of Ernie James Jr(The Turtleman). He has been essential to Turtleman with solving critter problems for people everywhere.
Neal James was also active in his community. He loved helping people such as working at the Isiah House in Willisburg, Washington County, Kentucky. Were he worked with people that are recovering for addiction.
Neal was born and raised in Kentucky. He was an exceptional banjo player as well as a bluegrass fan.
We are all deeply saddened by his death. He was suffering from cardiac problems which lead to his death on February 1, 2019. He died in Washington County, Kentucky at the age of 55. He is survived by his loving wife, two sons, two daughters, two sisters, and nine grandchildren. He leaves behind his family and friends which are left to morn this great loss.
Obituary from Spurlin Funeral Home
Neal "Banjo Man" Shannon James II August 10, 1963 ~ February 1, 2019 (age 55)
Neal “Banjo Man” Shannon James II, 55, of Stanford, KY passed away on Friday, February 1, 2019 in Willisburg, KY. Born August 10, 1963 in Stanford, KY to the late Neal James and Nancy Poynter James. Neal was a graduate of Lincoln County High School, a former employee of ATR Inc., and a member of Willow Grove Baptist Church. He was a Kentucky Colonel and was a songwriter/musician that led him to become a member of BMI, the largest music rights group in the United States. He co-starred on “Call of the Wildman” with Ernie Brown Jr., also known as, “Turtleman”; which aired for four seasons on Animal Planet, making him a local and national celebrity. His down to earth and easy going personality made him a fan favorite. Because of Neal’s kind heart and love of serving the Lord, he volunteered a lot of his time mentoring and helping at Isaiah House in Willisburg, KY. His favorite saying was, “Jesus Rocks”! Survivors include his wife, Rosemary James; two sons, Kenny James (Brooke) of Virginia, Ronnie Isaacs II (Stephanie) of Irvin, KY; two daughters, Sara McBride (Adam) of Harrodsburg, KY, Victoria Miller (Justin) of Stanford, KY; two sisters, Carol Bell of Stanford, KY, Janice Tillett (Ron) of Stanford, KY; nine grandchildren, Josie Luttman, Chloe Miller, Isabella Miller, Justin Luttman, Leyna McBride, Joshua McBride, Elizabeth McBride, Benjamin James, and Jacob James. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, Donald Lee James; a granddaughter, Laura Shannon James; one niece, Tami Owens; and a special brother-in-law, Joe Bell. Visitation will be Monday, February 4, 2019 at Lincoln County High School Stuart Underwood Auditorium from 5-9pm. A private funeral service and interment will be held at a later date. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be given or mailed to Spurlin Funeral Home (411 W. Main Street, Stanford, KY 40484) as donations to help the family with funeral expenses.
Neal Shannon James Jr. was born on August 10, 1963 in the Fort Logan Hospital in Stanford, Lincoln County, Kentucky. He is the son of Nancy Poynter James and the late Neal Shannon James Sr. (His father died at the age of 39, on April 14, 1963 4 months before his birth). He joined three brothers and three sisters.
Neal James became famous and known as “The Banjo Man” and received National notoriety as a friend of “The Turtle Man”. They were on a reality show “The Call of the Wildman”, that aired for four seasons. He was the right-hand man of Ernie James Jr(The Turtleman). He has been essential to Turtleman with solving critter problems for people everywhere.
Neal James was also active in his community. He loved helping people such as working at the Isiah House in Willisburg, Washington County, Kentucky. Were he worked with people that are recovering for addiction.
Neal was born and raised in Kentucky. He was an exceptional banjo player as well as a bluegrass fan.
We are all deeply saddened by his death. He was suffering from cardiac problems which lead to his death on February 1, 2019. He died in Washington County, Kentucky at the age of 55. He is survived by his loving wife, two sons, two daughters, two sisters, and nine grandchildren. He leaves behind his family and friends which are left to morn this great loss.
Obituary from Spurlin Funeral Home
Neal "Banjo Man" Shannon James II August 10, 1963 ~ February 1, 2019 (age 55)
Neal “Banjo Man” Shannon James II, 55, of Stanford, KY passed away on Friday, February 1, 2019 in Willisburg, KY. Born August 10, 1963 in Stanford, KY to the late Neal James and Nancy Poynter James. Neal was a graduate of Lincoln County High School, a former employee of ATR Inc., and a member of Willow Grove Baptist Church. He was a Kentucky Colonel and was a songwriter/musician that led him to become a member of BMI, the largest music rights group in the United States. He co-starred on “Call of the Wildman” with Ernie Brown Jr., also known as, “Turtleman”; which aired for four seasons on Animal Planet, making him a local and national celebrity. His down to earth and easy going personality made him a fan favorite. Because of Neal’s kind heart and love of serving the Lord, he volunteered a lot of his time mentoring and helping at Isaiah House in Willisburg, KY. His favorite saying was, “Jesus Rocks”! Survivors include his wife, Rosemary James; two sons, Kenny James (Brooke) of Virginia, Ronnie Isaacs II (Stephanie) of Irvin, KY; two daughters, Sara McBride (Adam) of Harrodsburg, KY, Victoria Miller (Justin) of Stanford, KY; two sisters, Carol Bell of Stanford, KY, Janice Tillett (Ron) of Stanford, KY; nine grandchildren, Josie Luttman, Chloe Miller, Isabella Miller, Justin Luttman, Leyna McBride, Joshua McBride, Elizabeth McBride, Benjamin James, and Jacob James. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, Donald Lee James; a granddaughter, Laura Shannon James; one niece, Tami Owens; and a special brother-in-law, Joe Bell. Visitation will be Monday, February 4, 2019 at Lincoln County High School Stuart Underwood Auditorium from 5-9pm. A private funeral service and interment will be held at a later date. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be given or mailed to Spurlin Funeral Home (411 W. Main Street, Stanford, KY 40484) as donations to help the family with funeral expenses.
Neal James became famous and known as “The Banjo Man” and received National notoriety as a friend of “The Turtle Man”. They were on a reality show “The Call of the Wildman”, that aired for four seasons. He was the right-hand man of Ernie James Jr(The Turtleman). He has been essential to Turtleman with solving critter problems for people everywhere.
Neal James was also active in his community. He loved helping people such as working at the Isiah House in Willisburg, Washington County, Kentucky. Were he worked with people that are recovering for addiction.
Neal was born and raised in Kentucky. He was an exceptional banjo player as well as a bluegrass fan.
We are all deeply saddened by his death. He was suffering from cardiac problems which lead to his death on February 1, 2019. He died in Washington County, Kentucky at the age of 55. He is survived by his loving wife, two sons, two daughters, two sisters, and nine grandchildren. He leaves behind his family and friends which are left to morn this great loss.
Obituary from Spurlin Funeral Home
Neal "Banjo Man" Shannon James II August 10, 1963 ~ February 1, 2019 (age 55)
Neal “Banjo Man” Shannon James II, 55, of Stanford, KY passed away on Friday, February 1, 2019 in Willisburg, KY. Born August 10, 1963 in Stanford, KY to the late Neal James and Nancy Poynter James. Neal was a graduate of Lincoln County High School, a former employee of ATR Inc., and a member of Willow Grove Baptist Church. He was a Kentucky Colonel and was a songwriter/musician that led him to become a member of BMI, the largest music rights group in the United States. He co-starred on “Call of the Wildman” with Ernie Brown Jr., also known as, “Turtleman”; which aired for four seasons on Animal Planet, making him a local and national celebrity. His down to earth and easy going personality made him a fan favorite. Because of Neal’s kind heart and love of serving the Lord, he volunteered a lot of his time mentoring and helping at Isaiah House in Willisburg, KY. His favorite saying was, “Jesus Rocks”! Survivors include his wife, Rosemary James; two sons, Kenny James (Brooke) of Virginia, Ronnie Isaacs II (Stephanie) of Irvin, KY; two daughters, Sara McBride (Adam) of Harrodsburg, KY, Victoria Miller (Justin) of Stanford, KY; two sisters, Carol Bell of Stanford, KY, Janice Tillett (Ron) of Stanford, KY; nine grandchildren, Josie Luttman, Chloe Miller, Isabella Miller, Justin Luttman, Leyna McBride, Joshua McBride, Elizabeth McBride, Benjamin James, and Jacob James. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, Donald Lee James; a granddaughter, Laura Shannon James; one niece, Tami Owens; and a special brother-in-law, Joe Bell. Visitation will be Monday, February 4, 2019 at Lincoln County High School Stuart Underwood Auditorium from 5-9pm. A private funeral service and interment will be held at a later date. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be given or mailed to Spurlin Funeral Home (411 W. Main Street, Stanford, KY 40484) as donations to help the family with funeral expenses.
