Date of death: 11/3/2009
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1949
Dr. John Mark James, age 85, died surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. A resident of Winter Park for more than 40 years, he is survived by his high school sweet heart and wife of 60 years, Dolores “Mag” Dauby, who was always by his side. He was the loving father of five children, Jenny James Gilbert of Brandon, JodyWhitley of Winter Park, John James Jr. of Winter Park, Mindy Millwee of Sarasota, and Anne Meadors of Charleston, SC; and grandfather to nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Born and raised in Tell City, IN to the late Dr. N.A. and Mabel James, John graduated from the University of Louisville medical school after serving in WWII as a seaman in the U.S. Navy. He practiced family medicine with his father for 11 years in Tell City before relocating his family to Gainesville, FL to undertake a residency in Oncology Medicine at the University of Florida Medical School. He continued his career at Florida Hospital in Orlando, where he was head of the Radiation Therapy department for 22 years until he retired in 1989. His dedication to helping others continued as he traveled on medical missions to Russia, served as a medical volunteer at the Orlando homeless shelter, and volunteered for Meals on Wheels. John was known for his sense of humor, jovial spirit, and the long repertoire of jokes that he shared with friends new and old. He knew how to celebrate life to the fullest. He was an avid fisherman, and loved Florida’s lakes and inter-coastal waterways. He was musically talented, playing drums and piano, and singing in a hometown barbershop quartet for years. He traveled the world with his wife and friends, enjoyed flying, and played tennis, golf and other sports well into his senior years. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Margaret Mary Church, 526 Park Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789, or Vitas Hospice, 5151 Adanson St., Suite 200, Orlando, FL 32804-1351, or Mayflower Retirement Center Endowment Fund, 1620 Mayflower Ct., Winter Park, FL 32792. A loving husband, father, and friend, John Mark James will live forever in our hearts.Published in the Orlando Sentinel on 11/6/2009″