Wayne James

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds – and done a hundred things you have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung high in the sunlit silence where never lark, or even eagle flew. And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space, put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

Wayne William James, age 87, passed away peacefully of natural causes Wednesday, August 27, 2008 in Bountiful, Utah. He was born February 2, 1921 in Hyrum, Utah, the 7th child of William Henry and Anna Elizabeth Lammers James. Wayne was a fighter pilot, flying a P-51 in the European theater in WWII. He flew 63 missions from bases in England, Italy and Russia, including two D-Day missions. He was awarded the Air Medal and 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, plus various theater ribbons. The citation for his Distinguished Flying Cross reads, &qoute;The skillful and zealous manner in which Lieut. James has sought out the enemy and engaged him, his devotions to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow officers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.&qoute; Truly, our Dad was of the Greatest Generation. Upon returning home, Wayne married Ruth Bowen, a cellist who had caught his eye in orchestra class at South Cache High School. They were married on November 29, 1944 in the Logan LDS Temple. Taking advantage of the GI Bill, Wayne graduated from Utah State Agricultural College in Logan in June 1946. Wayne began teaching music in Oakley, Idaho before moving to Buhl where for two years his band was judged to be the #1 marching band in the state of Idaho. While living in Buhl, Wayne completed his Master of Education degree at USU. He taught music and band at Minidoka High School in Rupert, Idaho, before moving, at the request of Bernell Wrigley who had hired him for his first teaching stint in Oakley, to Bountiful, Utah in 1959. In Bountiful, Wayne taught at Bountiful High School, Bountiful Junior High School and South Davis Junior High School. In 1966, he was appointed Music Supervisor for the Davis County School District. Wayne was a great organizer of music competitions, marching festivals his love of tennis influenced his naming the Davis marching band invitational the &qoute;Davis Cup&qoute;, and solo and ensemble festivals. In 1975-76, he served as President of the Utah Music Educators. He was well known throughout the state for his musical and organizational abilities. K. Newell Dayley, Chairman of the BYU Music Department at the time, wrote to Wayne on April 14, 1988, &qoute;As I observed your work last Saturday during the State Solo and Ensemble Festival I had some feelings that I wished to express. Over the years, your integrity and hard work have been a great source of strength in my life, having first heard of you and admired your work when I was a high school student in Southern Idaho. Your influence on music education in the State of Utah has been pervasive and I feel to express my appreciation to you for your untiring efforts.&qoute; &qoute;Old man James&qoute; as our father liked to refer to himself, was a man among men. He was one of those rare men whose example spoke louder than his words. He loved his wife and family and always put them first. He had time to play catch, send us out on &qoute;letters of the alphabet&qoute; pass patterns, and assist with homework. On family vacations, there were &qoute;off the wall&qoute; songs to learn and car basketball to be played. He was the best Grandpa his 22 grandchildren could ever have. He was very proud of the day that the number of his great grandchildren equaled the number of his grandchildren. Dad’s loves included organizing and playing in dance bands from as early as his high school days, playing tennis, kayaking exploring the Bear River from its source to the Great Salt Lake, playing chess, turning the English language upside down a master at the art of puns, his 10 years as Superintendent of the Bountiful 10th Ward Sunday School, his many opportunities as Stake and Ward Choir Director, and as Sacrament Meeting music director, as well as his opportunities to play leading roles in the Stake productions of Bye, Bye Birdie and Annie. He was at his prime in the old Ward Roadshow days when he wrote scripts, lyrics and the music, all original. To quote our Dad, &qoute;Life has taught me that there are no possessions remotely equal to good health, good friends, good attitudes and a good wife. I have found music to be a tonic, an inspiration, a prayer, a release and an impossible goal. A sense of humor, well cultivated and well nourished, cheats psychiatrists out of prospective clients.&qoute; Please join us Friday, September 5th for a &qoute;Celebration of Wayne James’ Life&qoute;: an evening of big band era music and dancing with The Dale Reese Orchestra from 7-11 pm; family musical program at 8:30 pm; and &qoute;open-mike&qoute; tributes. Wight House Reception Center in Bountiful, Utah 95 N. Main. All members of the Wayne James fan club are welcome for any portion or all. Funeral services will be held at the Bountiful 10th Ward 1145 N. 200 E. on Saturday, September 6th, at 12 o’clock noon. A viewing will precede the funeral from 9:30 am to 11:30 am in the Relief Society room. Ruth and her children, Jerry and Georgia James, Dean and Darla Davies, Dennis and Jan James and Joe and Janice Ahuna offer their special gratitude for the loving care of the Barton Creek staff, nurses, and residents, to South Davis Community Hospice, and to all of the friends, family and associates who have shown continual love and support to our father throughout his life. Our gratitude to Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee Jr. who penned the lines, just months prior to his death in WWII, that open this obituary.