George James Obituary

James
GEORGE LEROY JAMES
June 10, 1942 January 11. 2021
George was the son of Cecil and Madeline James of Colorado Springs. Mr. & Mrs. James had two more children, Virginia and Bonnie (deceased). George had two sons, Kevin, living in Wasilla, Alaska and Brandon of Colorado Springs. George was a true Colorado Springs native, He attended Steele Elementary School, and Colorado Springs High School. After graduation he went to Kemper Military School in El Paso, Texas. He decided that it wasn't for him so he returned to Colorado Springs and gained employment in the radio business. He liked it so much that he tried and was able to buy the station. At times, he would trek up Cheyenne Mountain to install and make necessary repairs to his station's antenna. He became a Colorado Springs city councilman from 1977 to 1981. He loved his job and Country and Western music to the point that it became a mainstay at the station. He was also involved in bringing entertainment to the Springs. And before they became famous, his entertainment were the likes of Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, George Strait and sometimes the Flying W Wranglers and more. And sometimes when they were a man down, he'd sing and play the guitar with them. His family owned a motel and wanted a family member to help in the daily running of it otherwise it was going to be sold. George and his wife Joanne, stepped up to the plate, left the radio business and became motel owners and operators. His wife died in 2015 and George ran the Dillon Motel for a total of 30 years. In his tenure he became friendly with many of his guests and they became repeat customers. George was also a good neighbor and friend, He helped other moteliers many times with any problem that arose, be it administrative work or any physical breakdown. He also became a CPO, meaning a certified pool operator and helped those who had one, either in setting up the cleanliness or fixing a breakdown. During the shut down (winter) months, He and his wife Joanne would spend a good part of those months in a town called San Carlos in Mexico. He became known as "the Gaucho from Colorado. He was there when God called him home.
Vaya Con Dios dear Dad, Brother and Friend, we'll miss you.
Gravesite services will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery at Hancock and Fountain Sts., on Friday, February 5th, 2021 at 11:00AM.