Linda Anne James

Linda Anne James was born in Hanford, California, on April 4th, 1950, to Peter and Dena Roque. She passed peacefully at home on October 22nd, 2024, after a courageous 4-year battle with Ovarian Cancer. Linda was a fiercely loyal, dedicated, and loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was proceeded in death by her mother and father, as well as her brothers Ken and Scott. She is survived by husband Ed, daughter Kellie, brother Mark, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

Linda grew up in Hanford, where she spent many holidays enjoying the sun and sand at Pismo and Avala Beach, and Morrow Bay. Spending many hours cruising around in dune buggies. She moved to the greater Los Angeles area, with her parents and brothers in her teens, where she finished high school. She was a breathtakingly beautiful woman and was crowned Miss Rosemead in 1968.

After high school she began her dental technician training, she worked as a dental technician for many years, including assisting in the emergency department on extreme dental cases. She then transitioned her dental expertise into management and training, for a small IT company that pioneered dental business and recordkeeping software. This career gave Linda the opportunity to travel all over the US.

Linda met her husband Ed, through mutual friends in the naval aviation community, in 1979. Their first official date was New Years Eve of that same year. They were married in December 1980, at Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego. During the early years of marriage, Linda was able to travel to meet Ed, for shore leave in Hawaii, Australia, Singapore, Philippines, and Hong Kong. These were some of the best experiences of her life, memories which she carried with her and reminisced about often. In August of 1982 Linda and Ed were blessed with their only child, a beautiful baby girl, Kellie. In 1983 the family moved to Washington DC, for Ed to work at the Pentagon. In 1984 the family moved back to San Diego, to NAS Miramar, where Ed became XO and later CO of fighter squadron VF 111. As the XO/CO’s wife Linda was responsible for the wellbeing of the 37 officers, 250 Enlisted men and their families, especially during cruises. This was a role that she was meant for, she was beloved by all the squadron for her devotion, support, and friendship.

The family moved to Colorado in 1991, where Linda got involved in the planning and production of multiple formal military events in their first year here. This sparked a life passion for event planning. In 1992 she opened an event business with her good friend Judy. In which she worked closely with the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, to put on events to successfully entice large companies to move their businesses to the city. In this business, she made many connections that turned into lifelong friendships. Linda loved Colorado Springs so much that when it came time for Ed to retire from the Navy, they chose to stay here. An injury caused Linda to close her event planning business. However, this did not stop her from creating incredible events and holidays for friends and family for years to come, a love which she instilled in her daughter as well. Her Christmas parties were legendary, many cherished memories were made around that Christmas tree, for so many of her loved ones. Outside of entertaining Linda loved the Trans Siberian Orchestra, going to AFA football games, swimming in the hot springs in Glenwood, and Kayaking with her puppy up on Pikes Peak.

Linda was a joyous soul who loved God. She will be greatly missed by all those she left behind. But we take immense comfort that she is now in God’s loving arms, surrounded by Angels, friends, family and beloved pets that went before her. May we meet again in God’s time.