Alden B. James of Laurel passed away on July 1, 2026, at Lofland Park in Seaford. He was born on May 20, 1931, to the late Norman Thomas James and Clara Jefferson James of Laurel and was the youngest of five. Alden graduated from Laurel High School in 1949.
He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy and went to work for the DuPont Company, where he retired after 35 years. When he wasn’t working at DuPont, he was farming. Alden was a great father and provider for his family. He was an avid Orioles fan and enjoyed watching all their games. He was very involved in church and was a charter member of Epworth Fellowship Church, now known as Central Worship Center. He taught adult Sunday school for many years as well as lay speaking. He was also an original singer with the Epworth Quartet and attended Crossroad Community Church in his later years.
Alden is survived by his son, Robin James (wife Pam) of Laurel; daughter, Judy (husband Steve) of Millsboro; sister-in-law, Deidre Palmer (husband Pete) of Seaford; three grandchildren: Erica Berger (husband Jim), Joshua James (wife Kate), Megan Bowlin (husband David); eight great-grandchildren; Lauryl Berger, Chandler Berger (wife Sara), Olivia Ball (husband Zane), Christian Berger, Mia Berger, Owen Berger, Abram James, Jude James; one great-great-grandchild, Bellami Ball. In addition to his parents and siblings, he was preceded in death by his wife, Nanette James, and son, Daniel James.
Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 10, at Hannigan-Short Disharoon Funeral Home, 700 West St., Laurel, Delaware 19956. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from noon to 1 p.m. Interment will follow in Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Contributions can be made in Alden’s memory to the Sussex Pregnancy Care Center, 5 Burger King Dr., Georgetown, Delaware 19947. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hsdfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel.