James was originally retired, but when his rent was reportedly raised by roughly $400, the 80-year-old couldn't make ends meet and got back to work.
Three students began a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe after hearing the janitor's story. They titled the fundraiser "Getting Mr. James out of this school".
Mr. James, an 80-year-old man, went back into the workforce after his rent was increased. (FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth)
"Hey guys I’m having a fundraiser for our janitor who is struggling to pay his rent," the fundraiser says. "He had to leave retirement to continue to pay his rent that was raised. Just a little will change his life!!"
While the initial goal was $10,000, donations poured in and reached the $160,000 mark in a week.
TYRE NICHOLS MEMORIAL FUNDRAISER BLOWS PAST $1 MILLION IN 2 DAYS
Mr. James is reportedly "very appreciative" of the students' efforts and does not want to be in the spotlight. (FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth)
"Nobody deserves to work their whole life," student Greyson Thurman told FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth. "They deserve to enjoy everything."
Students said that he was pleasantly surprised when he heard the good news.
"When we told him, he was kind of like, 'Dang, that's alright!'" student Marti Yousko recalled.
Three Callisburg High School students began a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe after hearing Mr. James' story. (FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth)
"He doesn't want any part of the spotlight," principal Jason Hooper said. "He's very appreciative of what these students have done."
Mr. James is reportedly still working for Callisburg Independent School District and has not handed in his resignation as of Wednesday.