Donald Leland James, 94, passed away in the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at home in Copper Canyon, Texas. Don was born in Adelia, Pennsylvania, the son of Leland Lawrence and Nellie Margrette (Rowe) James. His wife of 60 years, the former Charlotte Myrtie DeReamer, preceded him in death on July 31, 2010.

Don grew up in Adelia and went to grade school and high school in Hawley PA. He had a pony and an Airedale dog as a boy; and kept horses and dogs throughout his life. He and his brother and cousins hunted for rabbits, woodchucks, and deer, and swam, fished, and trapped Middle Creek. At age 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and in October 1946, shipped out of Seattle, bound for Japan where he served as an MP/Photographer at Sugamo Prison at Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan. After serving 18 months, he came home and enrolled in college, taking advantage of the GI Bill—first at the University of New York, and then finishing at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster PA. In 1952, Don went to work for Traveler's Insurance Company as a Field Representative in Philadelphia PA and rose through the ranks until he retired in 1992 as Regional Vice President in Dallas TX. To his last days, he kept close contact with many beloved "Traveler's People."

Don made the most of thirty-plus years of retirement. He and Cindy traveled to Europe, took cruises, and visited family and friends in Indiana and Pennsylvania, at least annually. He enjoyed flying his Piper Cub or Bellanca with his son Jeff to various EAA and Antique Aircraft Association fly-ins and airshows, notably Oshkosh and the Sentimental Journey Cub Reunion in Lockhaven PA. He flew to Del Rio TX several times to hunt with friends on their ranch, and he was one of the last surviving original members of the Riverdale Rod & Gun Club in Hawley PA, always returning for the opening day of deer season until the early 2000's. More recently, he made several annual vacation trips there in July with his brother, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The bunk room was full!

He is survived by his children Evelyn (George) Schwenk, Jeffrey (Jamey) James, and Kimberly Phillips, as well as his brother, Richard, and sister-in law Norma Rickert. His eight grandchildren, Kellee (Richard) Skaggs, George Schwenk (Deb Allen), Jana McKinney (Rodney Anderson), Christopher (Beverly) Phillips, Donald J. James, Kathryn (Garrett) Reeves, Jennifer (Joshua) White, and Samuel (Paulina) Phillips also survive, along with fourteen great-grandchildren, Julian, Gabriella, and Cooper Schwenk; Tyler Sherrill, Richard and Charlotte Skaggs; Drew and Dylan McKinney; Nickolas and Chance Reeves; Charlotte Phillips, Lukas and Dominik Phillips, and Daniel White. A son-in-law, Douglas Phillips, preceded him in death.

He will be so greatly missed by all of us here below, but we take comfort in knowing his spirit is with the Lord for all eternity, and we have wonderful memories to cherish forever.

There will be a celebration of Don's life on Friday, May 5, 2023, at Immaculate Conception Church, 2255 North Bonnie Brae Street, Denton TX 76207. Praying the Rosary begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by Memorial Mass at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Immaculate Conception Church, 2255 North Bonnie Brae Street, Denton TX 76207 or online at iccdenton.org .

Internment ceremonies will take place at a later date in Green Gates Cemetery, Hawley, Pennsylvania.