John Douglas “Doug” James, 84, passed away on November 8, 2024, at his home in Marion,
Ohio, where he lived with his wife of 63 years, Margaret “Peg” James. Doug was born on July
16, 1940, to Vail and Caryl James, and grew up in Lebanon, Ohio. On February 17, 1961, Doug
and Peg were married and had three children, Robert (Julie) James, Lori Puffenbarger, and
Karen (Phil) Merritt. They were also blessed with seven grandchildren, several great
grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Including his parents, Doug was preceded in death by
his brother, Steve, and sister, Jenny. He is survived by his sister, Lynn (Terry) Zecher.
Doug graduated from Lebanon High School in 1957, went on to graduate from Wilmington
College, where he and Peg met, and later returned to earn his Master’s Degree from Ashland
University. Doug played both tennis and football during high school and college. He started his
teaching career in Industrial Arts and coached football at Miami Trace High School. Doug also
coached football on the college level for Wilmington College and New Mexico State University.
Eventually, they returned to Ohio where Doug taught and coached football for nearly 20 years at
Marion City Schools. After retiring from teaching, Doug and Peg moved to Gaylord, Michigan,
where they enjoyed snowmobiling, and later lengthy motorcycle trips, with family. However,
Doug was not yet ready to retire from his love of coaching and went on to coach for several
years at Gaylord High School. During his 50 plus years of coaching, Doug positively influenced
the lives of many young men as “Papa James”.
Eventually, they returned to Marion, Ohio, in 2017 to be near family. When Doug could no
longer snowmobile or ride his Goldwing trike, he enjoyed hobbies including woodworking, toll
painting and sheet metal work.
Services will take place at a later date. Boyd Funeral Home is honored to care for Doug’s family in their time of mourning.
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