Dan William James, died at Baptist Hospital Tuesday, July 12th. Son of Willy Cunningham and George William James, he was born January 16, 1902 in Bernice, Louisiana. His family moved to El Dorado, Ark. where his father was a banker and pioneer oil man. He attended Kentucky Military School and Henderson College.
He was married in 1924 to Ruby Gibson. They moved to Oklahoma City in 1931 where he managed the Black Hotel for his father. In 1945 he purchased the Skirvin and Skirvin Tower. In the 60's he also operated the Biltmore Hotel. He retired from the hotel business in 1963. He was involved in community and business affairs. He was a Director of the American Hotel Association, President of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, a Director of the State Fair Board, King of the Beaux Arts Ball.
Dan James is survived by his wife, Ruby Gibson; a daughter, Dannie Bea Hightower ; a son, George William James, II; six grandsons, Bill, Gib, Grant and Jeff James and Johnson and Michael Hightower ; and fourteen great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 Wednesday, July 13, at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral. Directed by Hahn-Cook/Street and Draper Funeral Home. The family suggests that memorials may be made to Casady School, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation or the charity of your choice.
http://okc.about.com/od/oklahomacityhotels/a/hauntedskirvin.htm
Oklahoman Archives
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma
October 13, 1995, pg 30
Ruby Gibson James, died of natural causes on October 11, 1995. She died as she lived, and slipped away with grace and dignity. She would have been 90 years old on October 24th.
She was the wife of Dan W. James who preceded her in death in 1988. Mrs. James (affectionately called Ru-ru by her grandchildren and many friends) was born in Louisiana, then moved with her family to El Dorado, Arkansas, where she was married. Ruby and Dan and their two children moved to Oklahoma City in 1931, where he became a prominent hotel man, owning and managing the Skirvin and other hotels for many years. Ruby was always at his side. She was a member of the Oklahoma City Junior League. The James family spent their summers in Harbor Springs, Michigan. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Dannie Bea and Frank Hightower , and son and daughter-in-law, George and Lyda James. She has six grandsons, Johnson and Michael Hightower and Bill, Gib, Grant and Jeff James; and was blessed with 15 great grandchildren. The last years of Ruby's life were enhanced by the devoted care of Lorene Wagoner and her daughters, Brenda and Debbi.
Funeral service 11:00 a.m. Friday, Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Chapel with The Very Reverend George Back officiating. A private committal ser vice will follow at Rose Hill Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral Restoration Fund, 127 N.W. 7th, OKC 73102, or charity of one's choice.