James John Dankowski passed away, Friday, January 12, 2024 in his home at Violet Springs in Pickerington, Ohio, surrounded by his loving family and caring staff. James was born June 15, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois, to Eugene and Irene Nemtus Dankowski. He attended St. Barbara Elementary and Cardinal Stritch High School. In 1951, Jim joined the United States Navy, in which he would serve 4 years of active duty and 4 years in the Naval Reserves. After training, he was assigned to the Fasron 116 Squadron as a 3rd Class Radar technician, and sent to Alameda, California. Here, he and his crew tested the new P2V maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft and their radar systems. It was during this time that he met his wife, best friend, and partner for life, Lorraine Szymczak. They were married on October 23, 1954, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In 1959, with the assistance of the G.I. Bill, Jim received his degree in Electrical Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He gave credit to the Navy for providing the direction and training in a lifelong career he would enjoy. Jim went on to work for North Electric, Galion, Ohio which later became ITT and CIT Alcatel, of Johnson City, Tennessee. During these years, Jim served as Cub Scout Master, basketball and baseball coach, church usher, and was a member of the Catholic Knights and the Elks. After retiring, Jim became a licensed realtor and worked for HER realtors in Columbus, Ohio. He and his wife, Lorraine, eventually moved to Spring Hill, Florida, to enjoy retired life. Jim was an honest, fair, exceptionally optimistic, fun-loving family man whose many unforgettable quips have become quotes used by family members that bring laughter and smiles to all who knew him as Dad, Gramps, G-ramps, and Papa. He was reunited this past summer with a P2V, which stands at the VFW in Baltimore, Ohio. This brought back many memorable experiences and a huge smile that he shared with his kids and the staff and residents at Violet Springs. Jim also holds two U.S patents- one on the ETS-4, 4 wire Tandem Switching System, and one on a precise tool, used to find the center point on any symmetrical geometric shape.

James is survived by his six children and their spouses; Lorraine and Dale Jordan of Naperville, Illinois, Jim and Cindy Dankowski of Baltimore, MD, Theresa and Steve Arnett of Ontario, Ohio, Margaret and Jay Puryear of Oak Park, CA, Dan and Amy Dankowski of Pickerington, OH, Sue and Bill Dale of Cary, Illinois; along with his 12 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren; sisters, Eugenia Gorski, Mary Kilcoyne of the Chicago area; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Jim is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Lorraine; his parents, Eugene and Irene Dankowski; his in-laws, Sam and Dorothy Szymczak; brothers-in-law, Tom Kilcoyne and Jerry Szymczak; sister-in-law, Diane Szymczak.

A private family viewing will be held at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road, Westchester, IL, followed by a military graveside service at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois, where he will be laid to rest. In lieu of flowers, Jim has asked for donations to be made in his name to Blind Veterans Association (www.bva.org), who provided many tools and aides after his blindness. Arrangements entrusted to Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, Westchester, IL. 708-F-U-N-E-R-A-L