James R. “Jim” Donham, 82, an 18 year Wenatchee Valley resident, passed away on Friday, July 26, 2013 at Central Washington Hospital, following a sudden illness. He was born on October 2, 1930 at Devils Lake, North Dakota. He spent his early childhood living with his maternal grandmother in a log cabin on the Turtle Mountain Chippewa reservation. At the age of twelve, he went to live with his mother Mary Lou (Vivier) Donham, and stepfather, James Russell Donham, who adopted him in his teens. Throughout his junior high and high school years, he made a number of moves with his family that included Daytona Beach, Florida and various areas of California and Minnesota. After returning to Belcourt, North Dakota, he played for the Belcourt High School football team. After graduating high school, he entered the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean Conflict. Following his honorable discharge, he entered Coyne Industrial College in Chicago and following formal training and apprenticeship became a Commercial Union Electrician. He was married to Patricia Theresa Hanrahan on June 20, 1953 in Chicago. They made their first home in the suburb area of Alsip, Illinois, later moving to Oak Lawn, Illinois. Jim worked as an electrician for the IBEW Local # 134 in Chicago for 15 years before moving in 1972 to Lake Holiday, Illinois where he worked for IBEW Local # 176 out of Joliet, Illinois. He remained working with the Local 176 for twenty years before returning to Chicago and the Local 134 for his last four years. He retired in 1995 after 40 years of service with the IBEW. The following year, they moved to Washington to make their home in Cashmere. In 2007, they moved to East Wenatchee. He was a member of Holy Apostles Catholic Church in East Wenatchee, American Legion, Post 10 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed going dancing with his wife of 60 years. He was an avid snow skier through his 70’s. He especially loved family parties. Jim is survived by his wife, Patricia T. “Pat” Donham, East Wenatchee; two sons and daughters-in-law, Neal R. & Debbie Donham, Stanwood, WA and Bruce J. & Nancy Donham, Bothell, WA: five grandchildren, Stefanie Donham, Burlington, WA, Staci Marshall, Marysville, WA, Neal Donham, Lake Stevens, WA, Grace Donham and Hannah Donham both of Bothell, WA and four great grandchildren: Devin & Camrin Marshall, Marysville, WA, Brennan Donham, Lake Stevens, WA and James Henry Day, Bothell, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, Michael James Donham, and two grandsons, Augustus James “Gus” Donham and Clifford Roy Donham. A Celebration of Life gathering will be announced. You are invited to view his tribute and leave a message for the family online at www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com . Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee.