Wayne Lee James, 68, Roeland Park, died Sunday, July 1, 2012 at Shawnee Mission Medical Center due to complications from COPD.

A visitation was held Tuesday from 6:30-8:30 pm at Amos Family Funeral Home & Crematory in Shawnee. A visitation will also be held this evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Johnson Chapel in Chanute. The funeral service will be Friday, July 6 at 1 p.m. at the Johnson Chapel with burial following in Memorial Park Cemetery, Chanute.

Wayne was born Jan. 31, 1944 in Parsons, the son of Ira Eugene and Martha Stone James. Wayne drove a semi tractor trailer over the road for many years. He was employed with Ashland Chemical Company for several years until he suffered a back injury. Wayne enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, camping, and telling stories from his past. He enjoyed motorcycles and antique cars.

He loved spending his last years caring for, and playing with his toy poodle “Missy” and having conversations by phone with his brother. Wayne was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Connie, of the home, one daughter, Lisa Valentine and husband, Vern, Garnett; sons Wayne Lee “Dusty” James, Jr. and wife, Jerri, Mound City, Kenny James and wife, Rae Ann, Independence, Mo., and Shannon James and wife, Kati, Kechi; 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren all of which he was very proud of and always brought a smile to his face. He was also survived by a brother Ira E. James, Jr., Lake Chapparel, near Mound City, and two stepsons, Brian Knowles of Atchinson and Shawn Knowles and wife, Sarah, Overland Park. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Ira Eugene James and Martha Stone James Lough, by a brother Larry Wade James, a grandson Kenneth Eugene James II, and his cousin/ “brother” Tom Stone. Memorial contributions in memory of Wayne may be made to the International COPD Coalition. Online condolences may be expressed at www.amosfamily.com