James W. Donaldson II, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and proud Navy veteran, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2026, at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 77. James was born on October 15, 1948, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy from February 26, 1968, until his honorable discharge on November 4, 1971. During his service, he was stationed at Little Creek in Norfolk, Virginia, and served aboard the USS Preserver as an Engineman. His military service was an important part of his life and a source of great pride. Following his military service, James began a long and dedicated career with General Motors in 1971. He worked at the General Motors Fabrication Plant in Lordstown, Ohio, for more than three decades before retiring in 2007. He was known for his strong work ethic, mechanical ability, and dedication to his craft. James had a lifelong passion for automobiles, especially restoring classic cars. He took great pride in bringing old cars back to life and enjoyed the time, patience, and craftsmanship that went into every project. He was also an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and enjoyed NASCAR, Corvettes, and all things related to classic automobiles. He loved driving to Red Rock Canyon and Mt. Charleston, taking some of the best photographs with his favorite camera. Above all, James cherished his family. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 58 years, Cynthia; his sister, Cindy Denno; his daughter, Heather, and her husband, Johnny; his son, Timothy, and his wife, Rene; his grandchildren, Megan and her husband, Logan, Alyssa, and Jacob; and his great-grandchildren, Silas, Delaney, Matthew Jr., and Jasper. He is also survived by his former son-in-law, Levi Perkins III, and his former daughter-in-law, Michelle Donaldson and her husband, Stuart Koszer, with whom he shared a loving and cherished relationship. James was preceded in death by his parents, James and Gladys Donaldson; his parents-in-law, Leslie and Dorothy Jones; his brother-in-law, John Denno; and his cherished cat, “Trubby.” James leaves behind a lifetime of memories, a family who loved him dearly, and a legacy built on service, hard work, devotion, and the simple joys he treasured. His love of family, his pride in his country, and his passion for classic automobiles will continue to live on in those who knew and loved him. He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished.