Mr. James A. Muhammad

Mr. James Amin Muhammad, also affectionately known as Johnnie, Lefty, and Crayton was born on November 26, 1947 to the union of James Howard Crayton and Moneda Crayton in Corinth, Mississippi. During James' short time in Corinth, he attended Scale Elementary. He moved with his family to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1957 at 10 years-old, yet remained lovingly connected to his birth place. He attended the Milwaukee Public School Systems' Palmer and Garfield Elementary and graduated from Lincoln High School, the best school of his era, according to him and all the Lincoln Comets! While at Lincoln, James was a tri-athlete, playing baseball, basketball and football. In his junior year as a star quarterback, he had the best stats in the state. In addition, he helped his basketball team win two state championships. To this day, Lincoln still holds the record for winning six state basketball championships. He stayed active as an alumnus by serving on various reunion committees. After graduating from Lincoln in 1966, he attended the University of Wisconsin Platteville for three years majoring in Sociology. Later, he also took classes at Milwaukee Area Technical College'. In 1971, he converted to Islam under the leadership of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and attended Mosque Number 3 now known as Sultan Muhammmad Mosque. That same year, he married his wife of 53 years, Curtixine (Robertson/Crayton) Muhammad. They were blessed to have two daughters,JaDawn Zakiyyah and Asia Muneerah Muhammad. Early in James' career, he taught elementary school students at St. Leo Community School and was also a Boy Scout troop co-leader and youth basketball coach at the Sister Clara Mohammed School. In 1975, he became a full-time employee of the City of Milwaukee. He held various positions throughout his 35 year career and in 2010 retired as a lead painter for the Electrical Services Department. James was an entrepreneur and always worked several part-time positions in addition to his full-time job. Despite his health challenges, he was a reliable and dedicated employee. And just like his father, received several perfect attendance awards from the City of Milwaukee. Throughout his life, he enjoyed a variety of activities such as bowling, playing chess, table tennis, tennis, and watching televised sports. He was also a sharpshooter with rocks, arrows, marbles, and BB guns. As a youth, he even won a Thanksgiving turkey for his family for hitting a bullseye! In addition, James also taught youth tennis and chess through his family's summer youth program and thoroughly enjoyed watching western movies, mysteries on PBS, and game shows, particularly Jeopardy and The Price is Right. As a loving, generous, and devoted family man, James took pride in attending family gatherings and enjoyed socializing with loved ones and friends. He spread his infectious joy by telling humorous jokes and funny stories, which will be truly missed. James departed this life on July 15,2024,25 years later than his beloved sister, Brenda Ward, who transitioned on July 15, 1999. He was preceded in death by parents, James and Moneda Crayton; sisters, Lillie Mae Wingo, Doris (Fuzz) Gill, Brenda Ward and brother Dwight Crayton. He was also preceded in death by daughter, Dr. JaDawn Z. Muhammad; father and mother-in-law, Enwood and Luvennia Robertson; brothers-in-law, Clinton Gill, Marshall Wingo, Rachman Ali, and Benson Robertson; sisters-in-law, Luvennia Salaam, Verline Harris, Ayesha Mahmoud, Celestine Beauchamp, and Juanita Hasan; He leaves to cherish his memory; beloved wife, Curtixine A. Muhammad, daughter and son-in-law, Asia and Patrick Hadley, grandchildren Alvin James (A.J.) and Amira Hadley; sisters, Vickey Wilburn, Sheila (Darryl) Williams and Kathy Crayton; brother in-law, Charles Ward, Sr. and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and loved ones.

Mr. James A. Muhammad

November 26, 1947 - July 15, 2024