AUBURN – Donald O. James, 89, of Avon, passed away peacefully on Sept. 2, at the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, where he had been a patient since Aug. 29, after a long illness.

He was born on Oct. 22, 1918, in Strong, the son of George and Hazel Richards James. He was educated in the schools of Phillips, graduating from Phillips High in 1938. He later went to New England Institute of Anatomy in Boston, graduating in 1946, with a degree in funeral service.

He married Nedra Cushman on Dec. 9, 1943 in Rumford. She died on Aug. 13, 1997. He served in the Army during World War II as a sergeant, where he was in the military police.

He and Nedra owned and operated the James Funeral Home, until retiring as a funeral director in 1974. He was also employed at Forster Manufacturing in Strong as a tin knocker. For many years, he was on the school board for SAD 58, and in his later years, he drove a school bus for SAD 58.

He was a member of the Phillips Men’s Club, Phillips Congregational Church and the Blue Mountain Lodge 67 AF & AM, where he was the oldest living past master and served as the treasurer for many years. He was also a member of the American Legion for 60 years and he was one of the founders of the Phillips Old Home Days. He enjoyed woodworking and being with his family.

He is survived by his sons, Peter James and wife, Suzanne, of Hampden, Mass., and Kevin James and wife, Dori, of Avon; his sister, Dorothy of Berlin, N.H.; six grandchildren Scott, Stephanie, Steven, Shawn, Alex and Ian; and five great-grandchildren, Taylor, Paige, Logan, Dylan and Gavin.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice and the workers and volunteers at Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice in Auburn.