James Lindsey, a native of Greenville, MS, graduated from Greenville Christian School in 1975. In June of that same year, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served as a machine gunner in an infantry unit on the west coast. A few months later, he was transferred to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Over the next two and a half years that would be his duty station. In 1977, he was selected to be one of 24 Marines in the Marine Corps to serve as an honor guard for Queen Elizabeth II as she celebrated her Silver Jubilee. Upon returning to the United States, the unit he was serving in was chosen to go on a goodwill cruise to 17 countries in Africa and South America.

Upon completion of serving in the Marines, James returned to Mississippi and in 1980 married and had two boys. During the next 21 years he farmed in the Mississippi Delta. Then tragically, in 2002 his wife died, which was a major turning point in his life. Over the next few years, he served as chaplain for a hospice company, photographer for a local newspaper, and sales representative for a medical company.