Paul Douglas James

Paul Douglas James

Paul Douglas James, age 69, passed away October 26, 2008 at Dixie Regional Medical Center. He was born April 1, 1939 in Sioux City, Iowa to Claude and Irene (Hodge) James. The family moved to Watertown, South Dakota and he received his education there until he was 17 years old. He joined the Navy in 1956 and really did see the world. He also received training in business administration and engineering. He was involved in many highly sensitive operations.

Paul loved music and appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show with three other sailors called the Chanty Men. He collected many beautiful treasures during his travels. He attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer and was honorably discharged in 1976, having served on six aircraft carriers. Because of his extensive education provided by the Navy, he worked for Morrison/Knutsen, Inc. in an administrative level, building dams and ships.

His mother and father preceded him in death as did his older sister, Delores Myers of Urbandale, IA. He is survived by his sisters; Claudette Tritz and Mardell Brage both of Watertown, SD,Sherrey Kellogg of Sioux Falls, SD and Lynda Bennett of Mesquite, NV; younger brother Charles James of Urbana, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

There were two other couples who were a very significant part of Paul's life in the Navy and all the years since. They are Bob and Kerry Eberly of Veradle, WA and Joe and Mary Sheley of Pineville, OR.

Half of his ashes will be scattered at sea and the other half will be scattered by an authentic World War II bomber over the Iowa/South Dakota border. A memorial service will be held in Watertown, SD.