Donna James, 86, died October 14, 2023, at Thorne Care Center, Hutchinson.
Donna Jo James was born July 9, 1937, in Macksville, Kansas to Clifford Locke and Goldie (James) Locke. Donna grew up on a farm near Macksville, where she thrived in a variety of activities, including square dancing, cheerleading, and twirling (sometimes with flames). On August 14, 1955, she married Dean James and they moved to Hutchinson. It was there that they raised two daughters, Jeannene and Teresa, who became Donna’s life mission. Donna loved being a mother. She was actively involved in the girls’ school activities and PTA. She served as a Girl Scout troop leader. And, the James residence was always a gathering place for Jeannene and Teresa’s friends. Donna was a great cook and baker, and there were always plenty of cookies, brownies, cinnamon rolls and other sweet treats whenever friends dropped by. Dean and Donna spent many summers on softball fields with Jeannene and Teresa, keeping scores and coaching, even for a time coaching alongside Gene Keady, who became a treasured family friend. Dean and Donna also instilled a life-long love of basketball in the girls, which began with attending HCC “Blue Dragon” games and NJCAA national tournament games over many years, and continues today with Jeannene and Teresa’s avid support of WSU and KU basketball. During high school debate season, Donna would spend nearly every weekend driving Teresa and her debate friends to tournaments across the State. When the girls were in high school and more independent, Donna started her own business, Advertising Specialties by DJ’s. She was a natural at selling anything with ad copy on it and the business flourished. Her many customers included The Dillon Companies and The Kansas Cosmosphere, which she assisted, among other things, in obtaining small space artifacts from NASA and having them encased in specialty items. She loved her work in the business, which also led to her active involvement in the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce and a lengthy stint on the Board of Central Kansas Credit Union. She made innumerable friendships along the way. Donna is survived by her husband, Dean, of 68 years, her daughters, Jeannene Schweitzer (Steve), Wichita, and Teresa James (Gayla), Prairie Village, and countless other “kids” of all ages who Donna informally adopted over the years, many of whom knew her as simply “Mom James.”
Funeral service will be 1 pm Monday, October 23, 2023, at Trinity United Methodist Church. Prior to the service a family burial will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 pm on Sunday at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson or The Donna Jo James Hutch CC Endowment, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.