Donald L. James

Donald L. James of Meshoppen passed away at his home on Saturday, August 8th. He was born in Kingston, Oct 26, 1934, son of the late William D. and Louise Troster James. He was a 1952 graduate of Tunkhannock High School, was a Navy Veteran, and member of the Tin Can Sailors, JP Kennedy Crewmembers Association and the Black Walnut American Legion. Prior to enlisting in the Navy, he was employed by the Troster Insurance Agency and after returning home from the Navy, he was a self-employed farmer and later worked at the Bendix Corporation in South Montrose and for Farm Credit in Tunkhannock. He retired in 1997 from Cornell Industrial Company in Laceyville where he worked as purchasing manager. He was a member of the Meshoppen United Methodist Church and its Church choir, and for 25 years was a member of the Belltones Gospel Trio and Quartet. He was an avid photographer known for his slide and vocal presentations to various church and civic organizations, and was the past president of the Montrose Camera Club. Don was a member of Franklin Lodge F & AM #263 of Laceyville and served as Past Master. He was a former member of the Irem Legion of Honor and other Masonic Organizations. He was Past Patron of Meshoppen Chapter O.E.S. #70. Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Gail Griffith; sister-in-law, Edith James of Fairfield NJ; nephews, William D. James and spouse, Jill, of Corona, CA; Alan J James and spouse, Kimberly, of Washington, NJ; god-children Linda Gail Eberlin Diffley of Flanders, NJ, Alan J. James of Washington, NJ and Barry Kloda of New York City, NY and numerous great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, William D. James III, and a niece, Linda Diane James. Graveside funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 12, at 11 am in the Jersey Hill Cemetery, Jersey Hill. Friends may call at the Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home, Inc., 73 W Tioga St., Tunkhannock, on Tuesday from 4 – 8 pm. A celebration of Don’s life will be held on Saturday, August 22 at 1 pm in the Meshoppen United Methodist Church with Pastor Thomas Mott and Rev. Saied Adour. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Tyler Memorial Hospital Chaplaincy Program, 660 SR 6 West, Tunkhannock, PA 18657 or to the Meshoppen United Methodist Church, 15 Miner Lane, Meshoppen, PA 18630.