James Lashley

James (Jimmy) Lashley was born in Grenada on November 11, 1953 to Adeline and Martin Lashley. In Grenada, he was widely known as “Cheese,” a nickname he inherited from his late father.

From an early age, James demonstrated extraordinary academic ability, approaching learning with both curiosity and discipline. While attending the St. George’s Anglican School, he won a scholarship to begin his secondary education at age nine. At the time, it was unusual for children to win a scholarship before age 10. However, since he had placed second in the island-wide scholarship examination, his parents had no choice but to send him on to the Grenada Boys’ Secondary School (GBSS) to begin his secondary education. In 1969, James completed his studies at GBSS at age 16 and won the island scholarship —a prestigious award granted by the Government of Grenada each year to the top-performing student on the island in the Advanced Level (or A Level) Cambridge examination.

After teaching at his alma mater for one year, he went on to obtain a natural science degree from the University of the West Indies. He had a deep love for math and briefly considered pursuing graduate studies in math, but went on to earn a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Carleton University in Canada. He later pursued post-graduate studies in telecommunications at the University of Essex in England.

Before migrating to the United States in 1986 to join his wife, Marise La Grenade-Lashley, he held the position of General Manager of the Grenada Telephone Company.

In the United States, he worked in the field of telecommunications and took early retirement from Sprint in 2015, when his health began to fail.

Like his father, James was easygoing, loved to joke and tease, and didn’t take himself seriously. Before becoming ill, he was also a fitness enthusiast. He would go jogging early in the morning, jump rope religiously in his driveway as his bemused neighbors looked on, and play badminton at the fitness center in Burtonsville.

A devoted family man, James gave his all to parenting his only child, Anthony. When Anthony was growing up in Maryland, they had great fun together, playing frisbee games on Grenada’s beaches during family vacations, going to soccer and basketball games, taking karate classes, playing math games together, and going to Chinese lessons.

In 2016, James continued his spiritual journey by converting to Catholicism. His family remembers how excited he was when he was baptized at St. Camillus Church.

James is survived by his wife Marise La Grenade-Lashley, his son, Anthony Lashley, his brother Ramon Lashley, his sisters Deanna and Jacqueline Lashley, and his sisters-in-law, Lois La Grenade, Dame Cécile La Grenade, Alana La Grenade, Caryl (Toni) Lashley, and Debra Lashley.

He will be forever loved and missed beyond measure by his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Camillus Church in memory of James Lashley. Go to www.stcamilluschurch.org and click on the “Giving” tab.

Please click on this link to view the live stream from St. Camillus Church.