James Charles Donham

June 20, 1926 - June 20, 2021

James C Donham passed away peacefully at his home in Worthington, Ohio on June 20, 2021, his 95th birthday. Jim was born June 20, 1926 in Corvallis, Oregon to Charles and Margaret Donham. During his childhood the family also lived in St Paul MN and Grandview OH. After settling in West Lafayette IN, Jim enlisted in the US Navy while a senior at West Lafayette High School. He served from Dec 1943-May 1946, and worked as a machinist’s mate on a destroyer in the North Atlantic. Following undergraduate study at Purdue University, Jim earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ohio State University. After private practice in Garrett IN, he started his teaching career at the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 1954. Specializing in large animal ambulatory care, and later equine medicine, he retired as professor emeritus in 1989. Jim met Joann M Mercer while studying at Purdue. They married on June 15, 1952 in Jo’s hometown, Tiffin OH. They recently celebrated their 69th anniversary. Jim and Jo have been active members of the Worthington United Methodist Church since moving to Worthington Hills in 1967. Jim’s memberships include the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Jim was preceded in death by his sister Marnie Jamison. Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife Jo; children Lynn (Tom) Hammer, Janet, Mike (Jan), and Ken Donham; grandchildren Alyssa White, Katherine Bedaywi, Michaela Hammer, Kelsey and Caleb Foss, Brandon Lafferty, and Brooke Mershon; and great-grandchildren Autumn and Jake Lafferty, Eva, Liv and Ezra White, Cole and Travis Mershon, and Aaliyah and Abel Bedaywi. Woodworking in his basement shop provided Jim with many years of joy, as well as blessing countless relatives, friends and organizations with the fruit of his labor. From childhood to present, Jim was drawn every summer to his beloved fishing spot of Lake Kabetogama in Northern Minnesota, where he found peace and contentment with family and friends. His family is grateful for the kindness and support of wonderful neighbors, and the care of Mt Carmel Hospice. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Family will receive friends on Friday, July 23 from 5-7pm at Rutherford-Corbin Funeral Home, 515 High St. Worthington, Ohio. Graveside Service at Walnut Grove cemetery on Saturday July 24 at 10am.