Donald E James

JAMES, Judge Donald E.
Of Kalamazoo Died peacefully in his sleep Wednesday June 24, 2009. He was born in Kalamazoo on June 12, 1930 to Charles and Madge James. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School, Western Michigan University, and the University of Michigan Law School. He practiced law with Gerald McKessey until he was elected a district judge in 1974. He was united in marriage in 1963 to Jerre H. Locke who founded and was artistic director of Ballet Arts School and Ballet Arts Ensemble. Instead of her being known as the judge's wife, he became known as the ballet mistress's husband, of which he was very proud. He was an activist judge, serving in 31 district and circuit courts as a visiting judge. While serving as an acting circuit judge in Wayne County, he rendered a decision integrating the boys club of Metropolitan Detroit into the boys and girls club, a decision which was followed throughout Michigan. One of his early cases was a jury trial on a WMU parking ticket, which the defendant had a right to under then Michigan law, but what he considered to be an absolute waste of jury and judicial resources. So he went to the leadership of the Michigan district Judge's Association and was authorized to create and chair a committee of district judges, which with the assistance of the Secretary of State, the Michigan State Police and the Chief Clerk of the Senate Judiciary committee spent three years in amending the Michigan motor vehicle law changing minor traffic cases from misdemeanors into civil infractions. This eliminated jury trials for minor traffic cases, allowing Magistrates to conduct informal hearings, thus freeing up judges for more complex matters. He served as President of the downtown Kalamazoo Kiwanis Club, a trustee of the Kalamazoo Symphony, member of First Presbyterian Church session and trustee, a docent at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo and the Pima County Air and Space Museum in Tucson, AZ, enjoyed tennis, sailing, flying and duplicate bridge. He served three and a half years in the U.S. Air Force attaining the rank of S/Sgt. He is survived by 2 sons, Frederick Megan James of Portage, Brian Susan James of San Carlos, CA; 2 grandsons and a grand-daughter; and a sister, Betty Robert Roskam of Portage. He was preceded in death by an older brother, Bob James of Westwood. A memorial service will held 2:00 Monday at the First Presbyterian Church, 321 W. South St. with Rev. Wayne Connor officiating. Friends may meet the family Sunday evening from 5-8pm at the Langeland family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street. Memorials may be directed to the Drug Treatment Court or Pretty Lake Vacation Camp. www.langelands.com