Robert Donald James

Robert (Rob) D. James, of Arvada, Colorado passed away on September 27, 2019 after a long battle with Lewy body dementia. He passed peacefully and was surrounded by family and friends in his home.

Rob was born on March 5, 1943 in Denver, Colorado to William and Vera James. As a child, he sang in the Colorado Children's Chorale. He attended Lakewood High School. His college education began at Colorado State University, then Foothills Jr. College in California and then to Western State College where he received a B.A. in History/Political Science in 1967. In 1968, he obtained an M.A. in History/Political, also from Western State College.

While he was attending college in the southwest region of Colorado, he lived in Dove Creek, Gunnison and Alamosa where he was involved in several areas such as a Park Ranger at Curecanti in Gunnison, a Tree Crew Foreman and other various and sundry jobs throughout college.

From 1968 to 1974, he taught History and Political Science at Roaring Fork High School in Carbondale, Colorado. He also coached football. In 1974, he became a County Extension Director for the United States Department of Agriculture. While there, he helped co-found and create the Dove Creek Clinic in Dolores County which was one of the first nurse-practitioner projects in the state. Because of this community involvement and support, primary health care was provided locally and not 35 miles away. He also served as a deputy sheriff (Dove Creek) and establishing solar in the San Luis Valley.

In 1986, he moved back to Lakewood, Colorado where he worked for various pursuits such as a professor at Red Rocks Community College, catering, helping his sisters in their endeavors, apartment maintenance and business owner, to name a few.

In 1987, he became a member of Mile Hi Church where he was very involved for many years. He was a Teaching Assistant for Science of the Mind courses I, II and III, was a choir member for over 30 years, BHS and was a prayer practitioner for 18 years. He also was the first music director for New Horizons Church. He retired as a practitioner in 2016, when he was unable to continue due to his Lewy body dementia.

In 1994, he met Lana Portlock, and they were married in 1995 at Mile Hi Church. He was a loving mentor to his family and was known to grab his guitar while everyone sang along. His hobbies included exploring, collecting, guitar and Karate. He loved music, spiritual teaching, Native American Art and Lore.

Rob is preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Jennifer James; sister, Janie Mae King and brother, William James. He is survived by his wife, Lana James; daughters, Corey (Randy) Bennett and Jill James; granddaughters, Serenity and Toniana Bennett; grandsons, Chase and Johnny Bennett; sister, Vida Lee; nieces and nephews, Chris (Dana) James, Bill (Keri) Lee, Erin (Brian) Willis, Terry King, Casey King, Kathy King and Kenna King and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. He is also survived by many loving friends.

A Celebration of Robert's life will be on October 29, 2019 at 1pm at Mile Hi Church, 9077 West Alameda Avenue, Lakewood, Colorado 80226.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to The Lewy Body Dementia Association, lbda.org or Senior Resource Center Day Program, srcaging.org.

Please share memories of Rob and condolences with his family by signing the online guestbook below.

Celebration of Life: October 29, 2019 1:00 pm

Mile Hi Church
9077 West Alameda Avenue
Lakewood, Colorado 80226
303-237-8851
https://www.milehichurch.org/