Charles "Ken" James Jr. J.D. ’57, born August 26, 1933, passed peacefully surronded by his loving family on May 5, 2013. The son of Ken and Ruth James. Ken was born in Great Falls, Montana, the family moved to Santa Rosa where Ken went to Santa Rosa High where he enjoyed sports and played quarterback on the football team under the direction of coach Jimmy Underhill whom he greatly admired, graduating in 1951 where he is still a member of the Santa Rosa High School foundation. From there he attended Santa Rosa JC and then University of Santa Clara School of Law where he earned his JD. March 7, 1955 Ken was commisioned into the United States Navy as Lt. JG, command legal officer where he served in Germany for four years. After his return home to Santa Rosa he served for a time as an assistant public Defender from 1960-61 then joined the Spridgen Law firm where he was made a partner. In 1982 Ken established the Law firm of James, Gack and Freeman with his partners Kenneth Gack and Richard Freeman. He is past president of Sonoma county Bar Association, Member of the State Bar of California, California Trial laWyers association, Association of Defense Counsel and is an Emeritus Diplomate in the american board of Trial Lawyers (ABOTA). In 2005 Ken was very moved to be Honored at the Sonoma County Bar Association Careers of Distinction Dinner. As a former member of Sonoma Golf and Country Club he was an avid golfer and later he enjoyed the same at Oakmont golf club. He enjoyed to spend time with family and friends some being his old buddies from Santa Rosa High.
Ken is survived by his loving wife Donna. His children Julie Dempsey (Terence), Christopher James (Molly), Mary Beth Moreno (Bob) Step Children Jim Kracke (Brenda),Eiaine Pedroncelli (Paul) and Laura Kracke. He cherished his grandchildren Patrick, Whitney Jordan, Kasey, Jessica, Tim, Chris, Julie, Kenny, Sarah, P.J., Hannah, Heather, Tim, Garrett and Will. He also leaves behind his siblings, Michael James (Sherri), Marcia DAngle (Jim), Sharon Bertotti (Ed), Ruthie Bollman, Stephen James (Toni) and his many nieces and nephews. Ken was preceeded in death by his brother Robert James and step son Tom Kracke.