James E. Dora

James E. Dora

80, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2016, from cancer. Jim was born in Vincennes, Indiana, to Marie Claire (Schmidt) and Peter Alexander Dora on March 2, 1936. The youngest of four children, Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Richard and Robert. He is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley, celebrating 57 years of marriage one week ago; his children Elizabeth/Libby (Tom) Troeger, Carol (Gregg) Murphy, James Jr. (Leslie), Kristina (David) Brubaker, and his sister Virginia/Pinkie Duesterberg. Jim also leaves 11 grandchildren: Chad, Brett, Wade and Aubrey Troeger; Luke and Paige Murphy; James III and Arianne Dora; Elise, Victoria and Mason Brubaker.

Jim graduated from Purdue University and was a member of the Delta Delta Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity. There he also met his wife, Shirley Dorothy Gayda. Jim forever credited his time at Purdue for his wealth of friends and foundation for success. Jim gave back generously to his alma mater serving as Chairman to the President's Council, Vice Chairman of the Vision 21 Capital Campaign, as an Old Master, and on the Advisory Board for the RHIT Hotel School. Purdue honored Jim with the Purdue Order of the Griffin and an Honorary Doctorate Degree. Vincennes University awarded Jim an Honorary Doctorate Degree as well.

Jim also supported Sigma Chi, its Purdue Chapter specifically, and his many brothers throughout his life. Jim's key achievement was co-chairing a complete renovation of the chapter house, including a $7.4 million fundraising campaign to accomplish it -- a national record. Jim was recognized by Sigma Chi with several exclusive national awards including the "Significant Sig of Sigma Chi," the "Sigma Chi Hall of Fame," and, just recently, the "Order of the Constantine." He received the Purdue Chapter Ben Taylor Award in 2015.

Jim founded and chaired General Hotels Corporation, a developer and operator of award-winning hotels throughout Indianapolis and Central Indiana, including the Crowne Plaza Holiday Inn at Union Station. He was active and influential in the International Association of Holiday Inn Owners and served as its Chairman in 1982.  Through the James and Shirley Dora Foundation, the Doras quietly provided educational grants to over 200 of Jim's hotel employees, their children, and grandchildren.

Jim was passionate about the city of Indianapolis, which became his home in 1965. He sat on numerous boards and committees, with one of the most notable being the Capital Improvement Board of Managers where he served from 1971 to 1993, including 1985 to 1993 as President. Jim's participation was instrumental in the growth and development of the city of Indianapolis into "The convention destination of the Midwest" by opening and operating the Convention Center, Market Square Arena, the Hoosier Dome, and other city venues. But probably most remarkable during his tenure with the Board was the planning and execution of the Colts' move from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984.

Other civic boards on which Jim participated included the Educational CHOICE Charitable Trust, the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, the Corporate Community Council, Downtown Indy, Inc. (formerly Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.), Indianapolis Progress Committee, Indiana State Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Waterways' Task Force, and the 500 Festival Board of Directors. Jim was named Sagamore of the Wabash twice.

Jim also served on the Board of Directors for American United Life Insurance Company; First Chicago, NBD, Indiana NA; Bank One; and the Mayflower Corporation.

Jim was a pilot, an avid duck hunter and a voracious reader of current events and history. He loved the Indianapolis Symphony. Jim and Shirley spent over 30 years of winters in Marco Island, Florida, where Jim could be found planning and building contraptions when he was not entertaining family and friends.

The consummate innkeeper and host, Jim offered hospitality and friendship to nearly everyone. He shared his knowledge and resources to the betterment of Indianapolis, Purdue University, Sigma Chi Fraternity, and those who knew him.

While equally at home in a boardroom or a duck blind, Jim's engaging personality, warm smile, self-deprecating humor and genuine interest in others won him many, many friends and admirers.

While he loathed recognition, he was given much. Jim was a true gentleman. Though he always just considered himself a lucky kid from Vincennes.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 6 at Leppert Mortuary, 740 E. 86th St., Indianapolis, from 4 - 8 p.m. The Sigma Chi White Rose Ceremony will be conducted at 6 p.m. The funeral service will be Thursday, July 7, at 10 a.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church, 7575 Holliday Dr., E., Indianapolis. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ever True, The Campaign for Purdue University, at www.purdue.edu/evertrue/ or by mail to: Purdue Foundation, Ever True Campaign, 403 West Wood Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907 or to the charity of your choice.