Donald Wesley James, “Don”, passed away Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born Feb. 14, 1930, at his family home in Cocolalla, Idaho, where he grew up. As an adult he moved to Coeur d’ Alene in 1963.

Don was devoted to his family; a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and cousin. He attended college in Mexico City and the University of Idaho in Moscow where he majored in journalism. He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad and then worked at the Coeur d’ Alene Press as the Advertising Manager until his retirement in 1996. He had very strong patriotic values and served in the Air Force as a Morse Code Operator. He truly loved watching football and his all-time favorite team was the Green Bay Packers. He was an avid hunter and a staunch supporter of the NRA and Second Amendment Rights.

He married Patricia Fliegar Dec. 4, 1960, and then Phyllis Wallace in June 1969 creating a blended family to include their six children.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis, father, G. Wesley James, his mother, Ruth James, his brother, Bud James, his sister, Helen Bergstrom, his sister, Betty Kalb, his daughter, Michelle Springer and his second wife, Patrica.

He is survived by his cousin Nancy (Art) Michaels; daughter, Christine Stoneman (Randy) of North Carolina; daughter, Jan Rohme (Mark) of Hayden, Idaho; daughter, Debbie Adams (Mark) of Hayden, Idaho; daughter, Kathy Wescott of Henderson, Nev., son, David James (Michelle) of Fort Meyers, Fla., along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice of North Idaho or The Wounded Warrior Project.

The loss is immeasurable but so is the love left behind. A Celebration of Life will be planned for sometime this summer and we look forward to sharing this time with you as we pay tribute to a man who loved his family, friends, community and country. Those of you who have ever called Don’s house will remember these famous last words on his answering machine “and God Bless America.”