Longtime Lake County resident David James, a mentor to many local leaders and community members, died Feb. 13, 2010. He was 81.

David Lorey James, longtime Lake County resident, died at home Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010.

David was born Feb. 5, 1929, in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. A graduate of the Ohio State University, with a degree in accounting, David became a CPA and had a 31-year career with Arthur Young & Co. (now Ernst and Young).

Starting in Cleveland, Ohio, his career took him to Caracas, Venezuela, for three years and then to the Los Angeles office in 1959. In 1961 he opened a new office in Santa Ana. In 1969 he returned to Los Angeles as the managing partner. In the early 1970s David became the western regional partner. He accepted a special assignment to the New York office in 1980 and then retired in 1982 at the age of 53.

David and his wife, Loraine, moved to Lake County from Pasadena in 1978 when they purchased Pomo Ranch in Clearlake Oaks and planted one of Lake County’s earliest vineyards. David served on the Board of First Counties Bank and for many years was chairman of the board of the Clearlake Memorial Health foundation. He enjoyed the Judge’s Breakfast Club and the Lakeport Coffee Group.

Politics were important to David. He was active in both local and state Republican parties. David was chairman of the Lincoln Club in Orange Co. and served as chairman of the Orange Co. Republican Central Committee. Later he became the Finance Chairman for Ronald Reagan during the campaign for his second term. He was an active member of the Lake Elephants and participated in many local campaigns.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Loraine; daughter, Kathy Black of Huntington Beach; granddaughters, Kelly Curtis (Shawn) of Long Beach and Tracy Black of Costa Mesa; sister, Lorey Roggenkamp of Worthington, Ohio; sister-in-law, M. Evelyn Runyan of Eaton, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at the Little Theater, Lakeport Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Hospice Services of Lake County, 1717 S. Main St., Lakeport, CA 95453 or Northshore Fire Protection District, c/o Station 75, attn: Volunteer Assoc., 12655 E. Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423 or The Salvation Army, Lake County Service Unit, P.O. Box 348000, Sacramento, CA 95834-8000.

Arrangements by Jones Mortuary.