Obituary of Donald E. James

Donald E. James passed suddenly at the age of 74 on Sunday May 21st, 2017 at Rochester General Hospital. Donald was born October 20th, 1942 in Columbus, Ohio. A graduate of Short Ridge High School in Indiana, Indianapolis, he joined the United States Air force at the young age of 18. He continued his commitment to protect and to serve by joining the Daytona Beach Police Department. After moving to Rochester, New York, Donald gained employment with the Regional Transit Service and later went to work at Rochester Psychiatric Center (RPC) where her met his wife Linda. Donald retired from the RPC in 1999. Over their thirty-one year union, Donald and Linda welcomed into their lives two children Devin & Myiesha James. The importance of Love, Family, Education and Success were always important pillars of the James' household. Donald will be remembered by his children as a quiet, caring and gentle father. He was well known in the neighborhood as "Mr. Smiley." Donald loved the game of basketball and would cheer for any team - especially the one that was winning! Playing cards and doing crossword puzzles were favorite past-times of his when he and Linda weren't on a roadtrip. Because of the closeness they shared in life the couple was often affectionately referred to as "Bonnie & Clyde." Donald was preceded in death by his parents Virginia (2010) and Cruse (2012) Patterson. He is survived by his loving wife Linda Marie James, two daughters Natasha James (Florida) and Myiesha James (Rochester, New York), three sons Kevin James (Indiana) Nerlin James (Florida) and Devin (Tyshauna) James (Rochester, NY), two brother in-laws Dallas (Kierra) Grice and Anthony (Cynthia) Anderson and a host of family and friends.