Daniel V. James, Jr.

Daniel V. James, Jr, a 24 year resident of Swarthmore, PA died at home in the early morning of May 21, 2016 after an almost six year battle with prostate cancer.  He was 71.  While cancer eventually conquered him physically, it never conquered his spirit, as he continued to enthusiastically enjoy life almost until his last day.  During most of the six years, he and his wife Babs continued to travel to Europe, they enjoyed numerous get-togethers with family and friends at their beach house and elsewhere, and until his last week even, he followed the stock market, politics and his beloved Army team.  He always said he didn't eat to live, he lived to eat and he continued to savor his favorite foods almost until his last week.

He was born to Daniel and Lynette James of Chicago, Illinois and is survived by two sisters, Carollyn James, of Takoma Park, MD and Melody James,of Seattle, WA.  His dad was a Captain in the Navy and the family moved often, with his most memorable stays being Hawaii, where he developed into an excellent athlete as the member of a winning baseball team, and Paris, France where he spent three years at Paris American High School and fell in love with all things French, and forever continued his entire life as an ardent Francophile.

Though he wanted to follow his father into the Navy, he did not have perfect eyesight required by the Naval Academy thus he was accepted into West Point, becoming part of the noted class of 1966, whose Vietnam experiences are chronicled in the book "The Long Gray Line".  Upon graduation he chose to go into the Navy, which was an option since his father was a naval officer, and Dan's naval years included a tour of duty off the coast of Vietnam on a destroyer.  Upon leaving the Navy he entered a management training program with Irving Trust in NYC, after which he earned his MBA from Rutgers University.  Dan then accepted a position with Ford Motor Credit Company in Dearborn, Michigan where he lived with his first wife, and raised two daughters, Meredith Carrel and Heather Douglas, both of whom live with their respective families in Michigan.  While in Michigan he served as President of the West Point Society and developed a passion for running which he continued for decades.

Following a divorce, he transferred to an affiliate of Ford, (now New Holland Credit Company) and moved to West Chester, Pennsylvania, where he met his wife Babs James of Swarthmore.  They married in March, 1992, making their home in Swarthmore.

Dan is best known and remembered for his vibrant personality, story-telling skills, devotion to friends and family, love of sports and attachment to all things West Point.  He had season tickets to Army football games for years and regardless of weather or losing score never left the stadium until the singing of the Alma Mater.  Following retirement in 2000 he and Babs engaged in a number of trips to Europe, the final one being a wonderful trip to Spain in September 2015.  He also very much loved the beach house they built in Prime Hook Beach Delaware, and where they hosted many groups of family and friends.

He and Babs had nine grandchildren together, including Devin and Morgan Douglas, children of Heather and Dane Douglas; RJ, Wagner, and Anna Carrel, children of Meredith and Steven Carrel; Tad and Skye Fisher, children of David and Jean Fisher; and Talia and Nadia Fisher, children of Nathan and Stephanie Fisher.  He especially enjoyed the "sports week-ends organized by his son-in-law Steve for the opening day of baseball.  Dan is also survived by his nephew Abbott Shea of San Diego, CA.

Dan's wonderful ranconteur personality, his loyalty, love for friends and family, and his passions endeared him to many and he will be greatly missed.  His remains will be interred in the West Point cemetery later this year.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the West Point Fund (Class of 1966):  www.westpointaog.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=5296 or call 845-446-1658

A Memorial service will be held on Friday June 3 at the Rigby Harting and Hagan Funeral Home.  At 1PM there will be time for greeting the family, with the Service at 2PM