Dr. Edmund Gale James, Jr.

Ed, as he was affectionately known, was born in Canton, Ohio on February 24, 1943, and will forever be a Buckeye. He is survived by his beloved wife, Debra (nee Morse), his loving daughter Sheri and son-in- law Dave Doerger and three cherished grandchildren, Matthew, Jillian and Zachary. He is preceded in death by his brother Thomas H. James, by his mother, Helen (nee Wells) and his father, the honorable judge Edmund Gale James Sr.

Ed had a renowned educational background and illustrious law career in Ohio before retiring to his beautiful slice of paradise on Marco Island in 2003. He received his undergraduate double degree at Ohio State in 1966, earning a B.A. in Political Science and his B.S. in Educational Sociology.

In 1970, Ed earned his master’s degree in political science followed by his Ph.D. in political science and educational methods in 1972 both from Ohio State University.

In 1975, Ed was bestowed his juris doctorate degree from Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio and was admitted to the State of Ohio Bar, as well as, the Federal Bar.

In 1977, Dr. Edmund G. James was admitted to practice law before the United States Supreme Court.

Throughout his career, Ed was appointed to numerous positions in Ohio such as Director, Organized Crime Prevention Council; Deputy Director, Economic Development Division; Designate Member, Ohio Development Financing Commission and Ohio Power Sitings Commission and Special Assistant to the Director, Department of Development. Ed also served for two years as the Capital Area Humane Society’s President of the Board of Trustees.

In 1985, Ed was appointed General Counsel for Arrow Molded Plastics, Inc. in 1985 and Vice President and General Counsel for Taggart, Marryott, Reardon Company. In 1989, he became President of Diversified Development Group in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in public institutional development.

In 1991, Ed became Chairman & Chief Executive office, James & Donohew Development Services, Inc.

Ed was a dedicated lifelong fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and remains a season ticket holder to this day.

Together, with his wife Debra of 28 years, they traveled the world, enjoyed cruising, cheering on his Buckeyes and spending time with family and their many friends. Ed was proud of his Irish Catholic heritage and will receive a Catholic Burial.

The family will receive visitors on Thursday, March 23, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Hodges- Josberger funeral home. A Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, March 24, 2023 10:30 am at San Marco Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Marco Island Cemetery.

Ed was a true animal lover. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in his honor be made to Columbus Ohio Humane Society at www.columbushumane.org