Douglas R. James, 63, of Jay, VT died suddenly at his home on March 5, 2012. He was born on November 8, 1947 in Vernon, Vermont a son of Winthrop and Madeline (Smead) James. Doug graduated from Brattleboro High School in 1965 and soon joined the Army and served until 1969. He later joined the Vermont State Police from which he retired as a sergeant after almost 30 years of service. During that time he was a member of the VSP Bomb Squad. Doug was also actively involved in the area and was a retired Jay Peak Ski Patrol Volunteer, he was a founding member and current chief of the Jay Volunteer Fire Department and a mentor to all his firefighters. He also enjoyed working on firework displays. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed his hunting trips and going to deer camp with Kurtis and Bruce and 4 wheeling with RJ and Lee. Doug and Peggy liked to go on their annual trips to Las Vegas and to Florida to see his Dad at Christmas time. They also enjoyed their Thanksgiving dinner with camp members and their families. Doug is survived by his life partner, Peggy Loux of Jay, VT, his father Winthrop James of Fort Myers, Fla, his brother Dennis and his partner Michael Pereira of Los Angeles, California and by his sister Sandra of Seattle, Washington.

Friends may call from 6-8 P.M. on Monday March 12, 2012 at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road, Newport, where funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday March 13, 2012 with Pastor Rick Shover officiating. Friends may also call at the funeral home on Tuesday March 13, 2012 from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of the funeral.

Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Jay Volunteer Fire Dept, P.O. Box 116, Jay, VT 05859. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, locally family owned and operated.