Donald Duane James (87), of Ocala, Florida, passed away on May 14, 2018, surrounded by loved ones, after a long bout with cancer. Don was born in Toledo, Ohio to John and Katherine James on April 17, 1931. He was often a quiet man, but with an off-beat sense of humor. Don loved music and was an avid piano player. He especially liked big band, ragtime, and boogie-woogie. He also loved to dance, which is how he met Joan, his wife of nearly 60 years. Some of his other passions included "puttering" with computers and reading, mysteries being Don's favorite genre.

Don is predeceased by his parents, John James and Katherine James (Loniak) of Erie, Michigan. He is survived by his wife and partner in crime, Joan James (Chalfa); his children, Diane James and her husband Ken Williams (both of Costa Rica), and Brian James and his wife Elizabeth James (both of Alexandria, VA); his grandchildren, Nathan Northrup, Elise James, Kyle Northrup, and Baden James.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala, Florida on Tuesday, May 22, 2018, at 12:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Legacy House, Hospice of Marion County.