Andy Clayton James Jr., age 82 and a resident of Franklinton, died early Saturday morning, Dec. 27, 2014, at his home. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Franklinton and a U.S. Army veteran. Clayton was a practicing attorney in Franklinton since 1959 and later became a district judge for the State of Louisiana 22nd Judicial District for 18 years, also serving on the Court of Appeals in Baton Rouge for a brief time after his retirement. He later served as an ad hoc judge when he was needed. Clayton was a longtime active member of the Washington Parish Bar Association.

He was instrumental in the formation of CASA for under-privileged children and served on the Board of the Washington Parish Council on Aging. Clayton loved to play golf and was an original member of the Franklinton Country Club. He enjoyed fishing and was a longtime member of the Long Range Skeet Club.

He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Leblanc of Mandeville; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Mark and Holly James of Franklinton and John and Yanghee James of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; two stepdaughters, Deborah Susan Pankao and Sandra Jo Cascio; six grandchildren, Mark James II, David James, Andrew James, Katharine James, Michelle James and Robert James; stepgrandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, Owen James, William James, Clayton James, Henry James, Jackson Henriques, Anderson Henriques, Avery James, Simone Clark, Heather James, Mary James, Graham James and Karla James; a brother and sister-in-law, John and Betty Jean James of Monroe; and a nephew, Michael James of Chicago.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jo Nutt James; his parents, Clayton James and Jettie Head James; and a son-in-law, Joseph Leblanc.

Visitation was held at Crain Funeral Home, 1109 Bene St., Franklinton, on Sunday, Dec. 28, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and after 9 a.m. on Monday. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Monday in the funeral home chapel, with the Rev. Paul Watts, Dr. Gene Richards and the Rev. Percy Frazier officiating. Burial will follow in the Ellis Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Mark James, II, David James, Robert James, Evan Tageant, Clay Tageant and James Knight.

Honorary pallbearers were all current and former judges of the 22nd Judicial District.

Obituaries can be viewed online at www.crainfh.com.