Clinton David Lewis James of Clinton, son of Edward David James and Catharine Lewis James, passed away on Monday, November 13, at St. Luke's Hospital with his family by his side. Mr. James was born in 1929 in Indianapolis, IN, where his father was the founding architect in the firm of James and Associates. He graduated from Short Ridge High School and was appointed to the United States Naval Academy, entering in 1947. In 1951, he graduated with a degree in engineering, and in June of that year he married Dorothy "Doe" (Jones) James. He was ordered to the USS Walker (DE 517), which was stationed at Pearl Harbor. Mr. James, who served as gunnery officer, made three extended tours to the Far East during the Korean Conflict. In August of 1954, Mr. James retired from the Navy with the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade, having received word that his poor eyesight would relegate him to a desk job. In September of that year, he took a position as Project Engineer for Vermont Marble Company and for the next twelve years managed many of their offices across the country. Between 1954 and 1966, the Jameses lived in Norfolk, VA, Rutland, VT, Syracuse, NY, Houston, TX, Washington, DC, Cleveland and San Francisco; in all of these locales, Mr. and Mrs. James established friendships that have lasted a lifetime. In 1966, having previously enjoyed living in upstate New York and seeking to settle his family more permanently, Mr. James became a partner in Dick Tile and Marble, a Utica sub-contracting firm. In 1973, he became sole owner of the company, and in 1978 he was joined in partnership by his son, Steve. He also established two other companies, Oneida Floor, a residential offshoot of his commercial flooring business, and Oxford Stone and Specialty. Mr. James retired in 1992. Mr. James participated in many civic and church-related activities, believing strongly in supporting local causes and the local economy. He was an active Kiwanian for 40 years, serving as president of the Clinton club. He was also a member of the Mohawk Valley Builders' Exchange, volunteered his time to the United Way Campaigns, the Kirkland Art Center and the Clinton A Better Chance program, served on the Clinton Central School Board and was president of the church council at Zion Lutheran Church in New Hartford. Mr. James also served as secretary of the Stonelodge Corporation, a local land development group, and for 15 years was a member of the Clinton Investors Club. A life member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association and the United States Naval Institute, Mr. James never tired of hearing from old Academy and Navy friends and read his monthly issues of Shipmate, the alumni magazine, looking not so much for news of people but rather for interesting historical articles and tidbits. At heart both a historian and a poet, Mr. James could spend hours poring over maritime history books, accounts of civil war battles, his well-used atlas, or the collections of his favorite poets, Dickinson, Blake, the Brownings and Francois Villon. He had very little interest in material possessions, small talk, social jockeying or appearances, and as such was a man of few - but salient - words. Those who knew him well enjoyed his dry wit, integrity, intelligence and humble nature. A lifelong Republican, Mr. James was nevertheless socially liberal, always accepting of others' choices, and a true egalitarian who was often deeply affected by the misfortunes of others. He loved a good Yankee game, the smell of the ocean, his springer spaniel, Major, the humor of Fred Allen and Jack Benny, the annual Army-Navy game and being a husband, father and provider. He was predeceased in June of 2006 by his wife of 55 years, Dorothy "Doe" James, with whom he shared many happy times, from lively days on the beach at Waikiki to quiet strolls in later years through the village of Clinton. Mr. James leaves his children, son, Stephen and wife, Gayle of Clinton, daughter, Meg Averill and fiancé, Sean Gosselin of Northampton, MA, and daughter, Amy James and husband, Robert Ford of Clinton; grandchildren, Lindsay James of Hartford, CT, Cary James and fiancée, Clea Hoskins of New York City, Evan James of Clinton, Sam and Luke Averill of Northampton, MA, and Jake and Chloe Ford of Clinton; his sister-in-law, Patsy James of Aiken, SC and her children; his "German son" and former AFS student, Paul-Gerhard Steinestel of Finkenweg, Germany; and his niece, Carol Johnson and husband, John of Kingston, PA. Mr. James also leaves several close friends, notably Jack Hamilton and Bill Thomas, his Annapolis roommates, and their wives, who have been such strong supports these past few months, and local pals Ed Hinge and Steve Gilles who never ceased to visit during Mr. James' illness. He was predeceased by his brother, Stephen, in 2002. The family would like to thank Dr. Thomas Spath for his attentiveness and understanding, and the nurses, nurses' aides and other staff at St. Luke's Hospital and at the Presbyterian Home for their kind attention during these past few months. Special thanks also to Cheryle Hecker and Joan Conklin of Cassville, who helped the family so much during this time. Memorial calling hours will be on Friday, November 17, from 3 until 6 p.m. at Heintz Funeral Home, 10 East Park Row, Clinton. A memorial service will be held later at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Clinton A Better Chance Program, the Kirkland Town Library or the Kirkland Art Center.