James Lamont Atkins, age 49, of Seabrook, NJ, was called home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 while a patient at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ. He was born in Newark, NJ on July 25, 1969 to Marie Clark and James Gibson. He met his best friend and the love of his life, Latrisha, in the Spring of 1998 and they were united in marriage on July 23 2001.

James, lovingly known as "Jamie" or "Jay," was raised in Newark where he attended elementary and high school. James always enjoyed being around people, especially his family and close friends. He was a "people person" from the time he was a young child all the way through his adult years. He was easy to talk to and friendly to everyone he met. He had a love for people and he was known to give advice to the youth or whoever he came across. James was always there to lend a hand or give a word of encouragement. James loved to talk. Don't get him started about food … that was his specialty. Ever since he was old enough to hold a fork, James had a love for food and he enjoyed cooking. One of his favorite things to do was to watch the Cooking channel where he would get new ideas and then recreate new foods, putting his own flavor on it. James was an excellent self-taught chef and was amazingly talented on the barbecue grill. James also enjoyed watching movies and he loved music.

James had a strong work ethic and he enjoyed being a young entrepreneur, selling the latest fashions for men and women, especially sneakers, shoes and boots. Many of his customers affectionately referred to him as "Sneaker Jay." He was a self-employed merchant of men's and women's apparel when he lived in Newark, and in South Jersey. James was previously employed by Papa John's and his last employment was at Carmelo's in Bridgeton where he got to meet and socialize with many, many people. He was there to lend a hand wherever he could.

James leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife. Latrisha A. Atkins; his parents, Marie Clark and James Gibson; his children, Shawnisha Pugh, James E. Bonds, Lamont Anthony Atkins and Janae Daniel Joy Atkins; one brother, Michael Atkins; his sisters, Perzilian "Kitten" Atkins and Kathy Atkins, Yolanda Hinton and Ebony Smith and their mother Arlene Smith and her daughter Elonna Cook. He also is survived by his grandchildren, Makayla, Kyle and Ava Pugh, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Also mourning his loss is James' dog, Zeus.