Obituaries

James M. Donley

James M. Donley, age 98, passed away on January 13, 2020, at his home in California, Mo. He was born in Clarksburg, Mo. to Smith and Frances Opal (Williams) Donley. James married Sarah Margaret Birdsong on June 30, 1946, in Clarksburg, Mo., who survives of the home. He graduated from Clarksburg High School in 1939. James served in the United States Army Air Force from 1942-1945, flying on B-24's on 30 missions over Germany. After graduation, James worked at Beechcraft Aircraft in Wichita, Kan. building training aircraft. From 1955-1957, he worked for the California Board of Public Works as a lineman. He then went to work for Co-Mo Electric at a meter tech, from 1967-87. He was a charter member of the local Pickin and Grinnin Group. James was a self-taught musician and could play any string instrument, with the Banjo being his favorite. Give James a little duct tape and baling wire and anything could be fixed. He was a member of the California First Baptist Church and a lifetime member of the California VFW Post #4345. Along with his parents, James is preceded in death by one brother Robert "Doc" Miller Donley. James is also survived by one daughter, Janet Warren (Joe); two sons, David Donley (Jane) and Mark Donley; eight grandchildren, Nolin Cloyd, Ben Warren, Jimmy Warren, Becky Brinkley, Jeff Donley, Jennifer McDonald, Amber Scholl, Sarah Donley; 11 great-grandchildren; one sister, Jessie Marie, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation was held Thursday, January 16, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Windmill Ridge Funeral Service, with Services following at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Jeremy Anderson officiating. Interment with full military honors was at the California City Cemetery. The family requests memorials to the charity of the donor's choice. Online messages to the family may be contributed at www.windmillridgefuneralservice.com.

Published January 22, 2020