Henry James
| Henry "Hank" Sterling James | |
 | |
| Personal Details | |
| Birth: | January 18, 1927 Nashville, Tennessee |
| Death: | March 19, 2025 (aged 98) Healdsburg, California |
| Education: | B.S. in Engineering, Vanderbilt University; M.S. in Chemical Engineering, University of Louisville |
| Occupation: | Engineer; corporate executive; business intermediary; real estate investor; general contractor; securities broker |
| Residence: | Healdsburg, California |
| Party: | Libertarian Party |
| view image gallery | |
Henry "Hank" Sterling James (January 18, 1927–March 19, 2025) was an American engineer, corporate executive, business intermediary, and Libertarian Party activist from California. He worked for Kaiser Aluminum, later ran a mergers and acquisitions advisory business, and was the Libertarian candidate for the California State Assembly in 1980.
Biography
Early life and education
Henry Sterling James was born on January 18, 1927, in Nashville, Tennessee, the only child of Grace Brewer James and John Coulbourn Strong. After his parents separated before his birth, he was raised by his maternal Brewer relatives, who instilled in him a passion for learning. James was drafted into the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving until the end of the conflict. He returned to college on the GI Bill, graduating from Vanderbilt University in 1949 with a B.S. in engineering, then earned a Master of Chemical Engineering from the University of Louisville.
Career
From 1954 until his retirement in 1982, James worked for Kaiser Aluminum, rising through the ranks to oversee the company's global operations. During this period, he traveled extensively, managing projects and facilities worldwide.
Business intermediary and entrepreneurship
From 1984 to 2017, James operated as a Certified Business Intermediary, facilitating mergers and acquisitions for Bay Area companies and advising on exit strategies. He held Series 7, 63, and 79 securities licenses, authored the newsletter Selling Your Business, and maintained a California real estate broker's license. As a licensed general contractor, he managed significant home renovations, and as a real estate investor, he owned and managed residential properties.
Personal interests
A lifelong advocate of health and fitness, James exercised daily into his 90s, maintained a strict diet, and grew his own fruits, vegetables, and grapes. He practiced Spanish, solved daily crossword puzzles, and enjoyed games such as Rummikub, chair volleyball, and Scrabble. An active day trader, he managed his investment portfolio well into his nineties. He was also a member of Toastmasters and the CEO Club, and had a passion for tools, clocks, silver, and jewelry.
Politics
A member of the Libertarian Party, James ran as the party's candidate for the California State Assembly in 1980.
Death and legacy
After the death of his wife Hazel in 2022, James moved to Healdsburg, California, in 2023 to be near family. He died peacefully on March 19, 2025, at Magnolia Manor in Healdsburg. He is remembered for his dedication to family unity and his intellectual curiosity.
Political campaigns
- 1980 California State Assembly (lost)
References