Donald Hubert James

Donald Hubert James, 89, of Powell Butte passed away Tuesday August 28, 2018. There will be a viewing at Whispering Pines Funeral Home (3168 NE 3^rd Street) on Thursday September 6^, 2018 from 4 to 8 pm. There will be a burial at Juniper Haven Cemetery (1555 N Main Street) at 10 am on Friday September 7^, 2018.  There will be a Memorial Service at the Prineville Community Church (520 NE Elm Street) at 11:30 am on Friday September 7, 2018 with a reception to follow.  Pastor Chris Cookston will officiate.

He was born March 20, 1929 in Longview, Washington to Hubert and Lucille (Oswald) James.  He grew up and attended schools in Kelso, Washington.  After graduating from Kelso High School he attended Lower Columbia Community College and Washington State College, graduating in 1952 with a degree in forestry.  He married Dawn A Grocott on December 31, 1950 in Longview, Washington.  Dawn preceded him in death on January 30, 2015.  Beginning in 1953 he accepted a forester position with the U.S. Forest Service in Prineville, Oregon.  He held many positions on the Ochoco National Forest including District Ranger at Ochoco Ranger Station before being reassigned as District Ranger in John Day, Oregon in 1966.  He and Dawn greatly enjoyed living and raising their four children at ranger stations in the woods.  After five years in John Day, he was reassigned to the Siuslaw NF in Corvallis, Oregon in a staff position where he completed his thirty-three year Forest Service career in 1986.  He loved his job and after retirement he continued working on large forest fire incident support positions until 2014. 

After retirement, Don and his wife, Dawn, traveled to Europe twice and made several trips to the east coast and to the southwest.  They enjoyed traveling to visit children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  After retiring in 1986, he and Dawn volunteered each spring for 21 years as hosts and caretakers of Kirkwood Historic Ranch in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area on the Snake River.

Throughout his life Don’s hobbies were hunting, fishing, and working in his woodshop. 

Don is survived by his second wife Maxine Dancer Looney, of Powell Butte, Oregon, where Don and Maxine made their home since their marriage on February 20, 2016.  Until Don’s health recently declined, Don and Maxine enjoyed active participation at the Prineville Community Church, fellowship with the X.Y.Z. (eXtra Years of Zest) at the First Baptist Church in Prineville, participation in the Crook County Historical Society, traveling to the Oregon Coast, visits to the families, and attending family events.  Don continued enjoying his woodshop until a few days prior to his death. 

He is also survived by his four children:  Steve (Cathy) James of Redmond, Oregon; Sandra (Dan) McConnaughey of Windsor, Colorado; Gary (Robin) James of Pendleton, Oregon; and Joni (Keith) Goode of Sweet, Idaho; three stepchildren: Daniel (Maryanne) Looney of Coos Bay, Oregon; Gayland (Patty) Looney of Tigard, Oregon; and Alice (Chuck) Thurman of Prineville, Oregon; sixteen grandchildren, thirty-five great-grandchildren, twelve step-grandchildren, and ten step-great-grandchildren.

The family expresses their deep appreciation to St Charles Hospice for their professional and caring support.

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