James Donahue, Jr.

Jim passed away Oct. 22, 2014, at the age of 94 years. He was born Dec. 16, 1919, in Pueblo, Colo., to Sarah Bryden Donahue and James Donahue Sr. Jim grew up in Illinois and Wisconsin, graduating as salutatorian of his class. He attended the University of Minnesota until World War II, the University of Maryland, George Washington, and American University The National War College. Jim ended up with a master’s in business and international relations.

Jim served 25 years in the military. Immediately after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941, he enlisted and was sent to Ft. Sill, Okla., for basic training followed by officer candidate school. As a second lieutenant, he stayed for a year as a gunnery instructor assigned to an 8-inch howitzer battalion as S-3 plans and training officer. After training at Ft. Lewis and Ft. Bragg, he moved to England and then into combat.

He had early promotions to first lieutenant and captain, and then to major, one of the youngest in the Army. After VE Day, Gen. Patton put Jim in command of a 155 Gun Bn., which he was to move to the Pacific for the invasion of Japan. VJ Day came, and he waited to get back to the states to be discharged in April of 1946.

Jim went back to the business world for a while still doing some limited duty with the Reserve program and the National Guard. In December 1949, President Truman called the Minnesota 47th Div. to active duty in Korea, and Jim ended up in the 25th Div. as 8th F.A. Bn. commander.

After a year of combat, he returned to the states and was assigned to the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan. Jim stayed at C & GSC as a nuclear instructor for over four years, then about five years to the Pentagon as a specialist for nuclear matters in the Army Chiefs of Staff Office. Next it was to SHAPE in Paris for five years, then back to the Pentagon and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. All together, his nuclear work was over 15 years. During his active service, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, and the Joint Services Commendation Medal. Jim retired in September of 1966 as a colonel.

After WWII, Jim was vice president of marketing and advertising for a Twin Cities Moving and Storage Company, and United Van Lines. After Jim left the Pentagon in September of 1966, he worked for Weyerhaeuser Company as director of research and development for eight years. From 1980-82, Jim worked in commercial real estate, handling sale of properties and businesses. Also, he was a business consultant for Wells Fargo of the Twin Cities and was director of ten companies.

Jim married Priscilla “Pat” Berg, April 12, 1982, and she preceded Jim in death in 2008.

Survivors include a son, James J. Donahue III, of Texas; a daughter, Nyrhee Westrum of Mesa, Ariz.; a stepson, Paul K. Berg of Wasilla, Alaska; a companion, Pat Corkill of Warrenton, Ore; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31, 2014, at Ft. Stevens Post Cemetery in Hammond, Ore., with Military Honors.

A reception will follow, Friday, Oct. 31, 2014, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Social Room of the United Methodist Church, 679 S. Main Ave., Warrenton, Ore.

Memorial contributions may be given to a charity of one’s choice.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Please sign our online guest book at www.caldwellsmortuary.com